Optical reader optic cleaning systems having motion deployed cleaning elements
First Claim
1. A cleaning system designed and configured to clean an optic of an optical reader system, wherein the optic has a cleanable surface in contact with a liquid and the optic reader system has a reading mode and a cleaning mode, the system comprising:
- a holder designed and configured to be submerged in the liquid in spaced relation to the optic when in operative arrangement relative to the optical reader and to move relative to the optic during use; and
a cleaning element pivotably engaged with said holder and including at least one cleaning member designed and configured for cleaning the optic;
wherein said cleaning element is designed and configured to have;
a neutral position in which, when said holder is in operative arrangement relative to the optical reader system, none of said at least one cleaning member contacts the optic as said cleaning element is moved past the optic by said holder when the optical reader system is in the reading mode; and
a deployed position in which, when said holder is in operative arrangement relative to the optical reader system, at least one of said at least one member elements contacts the optic as said cleaning element is moved past the optic by said holder when the optical reader system is in the cleaning mode, wherein said deployed position is achieved by motion of said holder.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Cleaning systems for optics of optical readers to periodically clean one or more surfaces of the optics of matter that may deposit on surface(s) and that might interfere with the performance of the reader. In an example, the cleaning system is used on a chemical indicator apparatus that includes one or more chemical indicators that are read by an optical reader having an optic. During use, the chemical indicator apparatus is moved relative optic during a reading mode. A cleaning element is engaged with the chemical indicator apparatus so as to have a neutral position in which it cannot contact the optic during the reading mode. When it is desired to clean the optic, the chemical indicator apparatus is moved in a manner that causes the cleaning element to move from the neutral position to a deployed position in which it contacts the optic in a manner that cleans the optic as the apparatus continues to be moved.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. A cleaning system designed and configured to clean an optic of an optical reader system, wherein the optic has a cleanable surface in contact with a liquid and the optic reader system has a reading mode and a cleaning mode, the system comprising:
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a holder designed and configured to be submerged in the liquid in spaced relation to the optic when in operative arrangement relative to the optical reader and to move relative to the optic during use; and a cleaning element pivotably engaged with said holder and including at least one cleaning member designed and configured for cleaning the optic; wherein said cleaning element is designed and configured to have; a neutral position in which, when said holder is in operative arrangement relative to the optical reader system, none of said at least one cleaning member contacts the optic as said cleaning element is moved past the optic by said holder when the optical reader system is in the reading mode; and a deployed position in which, when said holder is in operative arrangement relative to the optical reader system, at least one of said at least one member elements contacts the optic as said cleaning element is moved past the optic by said holder when the optical reader system is in the cleaning mode, wherein said deployed position is achieved by motion of said holder. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification