Surface cleaning apparatus and method

An apparatus for cleaning product surfaces comprising:

• voltage supply means connectable with a voltage source for selective supplying voltage;
• a first mounting structure for defining a product cleaning area;
• a second selectively movable mounting structure;
• a platform mounted on said first mounting structure of said cleaning area for receipt of the product thereon, said platform being connected with said voltage supply so that said platform is negatively chargeable to a selected intensity;
• negative ion producing means mounted on said second mounting structure and connected with said voltage supply means for generating a selected quantity of ions;
• a gas stream outlet positioned at said second mounting structure adjacent to said ion producing means and connectable with a source of pressurized gas;
• and
• electrostatic field establishing means connected with said voltage supply means for generating a positive electrostatic field having a selected electrostatic field intensity, said electrostatic field establishing means including a collector mounted on said mounting structure adjacent to said cleaning area.

A method for promoting cleanness of a product comprising the steps of:

• positioning said product on a surface;
• charging said surface to a selected intensity and a preselected polarity;
• generating a selected quantity of ions of the preselected polarity;
• directing said ions toward the product on said surface;
• and
• establishing at a collector spaced from said surface an electrostatic field having a selected intensity and a polarity opposite said preselected polarity.