Electrostatic treatment of paper
AssigneeBurlington Industries, Inc.
InventorWilliam D. Harris
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Method and apparatus for altering the static electric charges of sheets of dielectric material arranged in a stack in which the stack is subjected to a high intensity electrostatic gradient. Interlock and shorting structures are utilized for preventing injury to users due to electrical shock.
Claims7
A method of altering electrostatic charges of sheets of dielectric material arranged in a stack, utilizing a plate comprised substantially of electrically conductive material inside an enclosure having electrically conductive interior surfaces, the plate being electrically insulated from the interior surfaces, comprising the steps of:
- (a) placing one sheet of the stack in operative association with the plate, while maintaining the rest of the sheets of the stack free from contact with any electrically conductive manner;
- (b) electrically connecting the interior surfaces to a first voltage;
- and
- (c) electrically connecting the plate to a second voltage, much greater than the first voltage, long enough to alter the electrostatic charges.
An apparatus for altering electrostatic charges of sheets of dielectric material arranged in a stack comprising:
- an enclosure, said enclosure including a door, and electrically conductive interior surfaces electrically connected to ground;
- a treatment plate comprised substantially of electrically conductive material within said enclosure and having rounded edges;
- means connected to said plate for preventing high voltage arcing effects;
- electrically insulating means connected between said treatment plate and said enclosure for retaining said treatment plate at a fixed distance from said interior surfaces;
- means connected to said enclosure for electrically connecting said treatment plate to ground when said door is open;
- a high voltage supply connected to said treatment plate;
- means connected to said high voltage supply for actuating said high voltage supply;
- and
- interlock means attached to said enclosure, and connected between said activating means and said high voltage supply for permitting said activating means to activate said high voltage supply only when said door is closed.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.