Dual use cleaning apparatus and method
First Claim
1. A cleaning assembly for a media processing device having a media transport path and a media drive assembly configured to drive a media substrate defining a first media substrate surface and a second media substrate surface along the media transport path, the cleaning assembly comprising:
- a first cleaning structure defining a first cleaning surface disposed proximate a first side of the media transport path, wherein the first cleaning structure is positioned such that the first cleaning surface at least intermittently engages the first media substrate surface;
a second cleaning structure defining a second cleaning surface disposed proximate a second side of the media transport path, wherein the second cleaning surface is positioned to at least intermittently engage the first cleaning surface thereby defining a cleaning nip proximate the media transport path, the second cleaning structure is positioned such that the second cleaning surface at least intermittently engages the second media substrate surface; and
a collection structure defining a collection surface disposed in contact with the second cleaning structure, and wherein the collection structure is positioned along the media transport path so as to engage the media drive assembly,wherein the second cleaning surface defines a second adherence level, the collection surface defines a third adherence level, and wherein the second adherence level is less than the third adherence level.
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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.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A cleaning assembly for a media processing device having a media transport path and a media drive assembly configured to drive a media substrate defining a first media substrate surface and a second media substrate surface along the media transport path, the cleaning assembly comprising:
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a first cleaning structure defining a first cleaning surface disposed proximate a first side of the media transport path, wherein the first cleaning structure is positioned such that the first cleaning surface at least intermittently engages the first media substrate surface; a second cleaning structure defining a second cleaning surface disposed proximate a second side of the media transport path, wherein the second cleaning surface is positioned to at least intermittently engage the first cleaning surface thereby defining a cleaning nip proximate the media transport path, the second cleaning structure is positioned such that the second cleaning surface at least intermittently engages the second media substrate surface; and a collection structure defining a collection surface disposed in contact with the second cleaning structure, and wherein the collection structure is positioned along the media transport path so as to engage the media drive assembly, wherein the second cleaning surface defines a second adherence level, the collection surface defines a third adherence level, and wherein the second adherence level is less than the third adherence level. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A media processing device having a media transport path and a cleaning assembly, comprising:
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a first structure of the cleaning assembly defining a first surface disposed proximate a first side of the media transport path; a second cleaning structure of the cleaning assembly defining a second cleaning surface disposed proximate a second side of the media transport path, wherein the second cleaning surface defines a second adherence level; and a collection structure defining a collection surface disposed in contact with the second cleaning structure, wherein the collection surface defines a third adherence level; a media drive assembly disposed proximate the second side of the media transport path, wherein the collection structure engages the media drive assembly, wherein the media drive assembly defines a fourth adherence level, and wherein the third adherence level is greater than the second adherence level and the fourth adherence level. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. 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 surface 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 path; and a collection structure configured to 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 (16, 17)
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Specification