Device for placing a charge on an object and a method of retrofitting a conveyor for the device

A device for placing a charge on an object passing by and proximate to the device in a first direction along a transport axis, the device comprising:

• a body having a surface;
• a first row of ionizing pins disposed in the body for emitting ions from locations proximate to the surface of the body, each of the first row of ionizing pins defining a first row axis that is aligned generally parallel to the transport axis, the first row of ionizing pins are positioned in a generally spaced apart side by side fashion;
• a second row of ionizing pins disposed in the body for emitting ions from locations proximate to the surface of the body, each of the second row of ionizing pins defining a second row axis that is aligned generally parallel to the transport axis, the second row of ionizing pins are positioned in a generally spaced apart side by side fashion, the first and second rows of ionizing pins being disposed so that at least a portion of the object moving in the first direction by and proximate to the surface of the body passes by and proximate to the first row of ionizing pins before passing by and proximate to the second row of ionizing pins, at least one ionizing pin of the second row of ionizing pins being laterally offset with respect to the first row of ionizing pins so that the at least one laterally offset ionizing pin of the second row of ionizing pins is generally aligned with a position between a pair of ionizing pins of the first row of ionizing pins;
• and
• whereby the object is charged by passing the object by and proximate to the surface of the body in the first direction to receive ions generated from both the first row of ionizing pins and the second row of ionizing pins.