Optical reader optic cleaning systems having motion deployed cleaning elements

• US 9,494,527 B2
• Filed: 12/13/2012
• Issued: 11/15/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 12/12/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lamotte Chemical Products Company
• Original Assignee: Step Ahead Innovations, Inc.
• Inventors: Clark, James E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Karls, Shay
• Application Number:
  US13/713,864
• Publication Number:
  US 20140000651A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,433 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 63/04 Arrangements for treating water specially adapted to receptacles for live fish
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/008 Control or steering systems not provided for elsewhere in subclass C02F
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2103/42 from bathing facilities, e.g. swimming pools
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2209/005 Processes using a programmable logic controller [PLC]
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2209/006 comprising a software program or a logic diagram
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2209/008 comprising telecommunication features, e.g. modems or antennas
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2209/06 pH
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2209/14 NH3-N
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2209/15 N03-N
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2209/18 PO4-P
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2021/758 using reversible reaction
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2021/7786 Fluorescence
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2021/7793 Sensor comprising plural indicators
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/15 Preventing contamination of the components of the optical system or obstruction of the light path
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/6428 Measuring fluorescence of fluorescent products of reactions or of fluorochrome labelled reactive substances, e.g. measuring quenching effects, using measuring "optrodes" in vivo A61B5/00; immunoassay G01N33/53
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/77 by observing the effect on a chemical indicator
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/78 producing a change of colour
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/8507 Probe photometers, i.e. with optical measuring part dipped into fluid sample
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/88 Investigating the presence of flaws or contamination
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2201/127 Calibration; base line adjustment; drift compensation
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 31/22 : using chemical indicators G01N31/02 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/18 : Water
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0001 : specially adapted for lighting devices or systems lighting or signalling on vehicles using light guides B60Q1/00; lighting devices for vehicle dashboards B60Q3/10; lighting devices for vehicle interior using light guides B60Q3/62; lighting devices mounted on the vehicle rear part using light guides F21S43/235; measuring arrangements having light conducting pointers G01D13/265; illumination of liquid crystal displays G02F1/1336; illuminated signs G09F13/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 436/805 : Optical property
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 436/809 : Multifield plates or multicontainer arrays
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/11 : Automated chemical analysis
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/115831 : Condition or time responsive
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/12 : Condition responsive control
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/173076 : Nitrite or nitrate
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/173845 : Amine and quaternary ammonium
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/174614 : Tertiary amine
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/175383 : Ammonia
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/193333 : In aqueous solution
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/207497 : Molecular oxygen
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/25 : including sample preparation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/25375 : Liberation or purification of sample or separation of material from a sample [e.g., filtering, centrifuging, etc.]

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.

Claims

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.

2. A cleaning system according to claim 1, wherein said deployed position is achieved by pivoting of said cleaning element due to resistance of the liquid against said cleaning element as said cleaning element is moved by said holder.

3. A cleaning system according to claim 2, wherein said deployed position is achieved by moving said holder above a threshold speed.

4. A cleaning system according to claim 3, wherein said holder comprises a wheel rotatable about a rotational axis by the optical reader system, said cleaning element being radially spaced from said rotational axis, and said deployed position is achieved by rotating said wheel above a threshold rotational speed.

5. A cleaning system according to claim 4, further comprising at least one visual indicator secured to said holder so as to be radially spaced from said rotational axis.

6. A cleaning system according to claim 4, wherein said holder includes a recess and said cleaning element is seated in said recess.

7. A cleaning system according to claim 1, wherein said cleaning element includes:

a base secured to said holder; and

a first cleaning member secured to said base and extending therefrom.

8. A cleaning system according to claim 7, wherein said deployed position is substantially achieved by resistance of the liquid against said cleaning element as said cleaning element is moved by said holder.

9. A cleaning system according to claim 8, wherein said holder includes a face and a recess relative to said face, said cleaning element being seated in said recess so that substantially only said first cleaning member extends out of said recess beyond said face.

10. A cleaning system according to claim 7, wherein said cleaning element includes a second cleaning member secured to said base and extending therefrom so that said first and second members provide said cleaning element with a V-shape.

11. A cleaning system according to claim 10, wherein said base is pivotably secured to said holder and the cleaning system further includes a biasing means engaged between said cleaning element and said holder and designed and configured to bias said cleaning element into said neutral position.

12. A cleaning system according to claim 10, wherein said base includes at least one magnet member magnetically coupling said cleaning element to said holder.

13. A cleaning system according to claim 7, wherein said base is pivotably secured to said holder and the cleaning system further includes a biasing means engaged between said cleaning element and said holder and designed and configured to bias said cleaning element into said neutral position.

14. A cleaning system according to claim 7, wherein said base includes at least one magnet member magnetically coupling said cleaning element to said holder.