Non-uniform scraper blade load to increase detoning roll life

An apparatus for removing particles from a surface, comprising:

• a housing defining an open ended chamber;
• a brush, disposed in the chamber of said housing with a portion of the brush extending outwardly from the open end of the chamber of said housing into engagement with the surface to remove particles therefrom;
• a detoning roll, rotatably mounted in said housing, for removing particles from said brush;
• a scraper blade having a free end in contact with said detoning roll and a fixed end opposite the free end, said scraper blade applying a non-uniform normal force on said detoning roll which compensates for a non-uniform coefficient of friction across said detoning roll to produce a substantial uniform frictional force on said detoning roll preventing non-uniform wear along said detoning roll;
• and
• a scraper blade holder coupled to said housing on one end and coupled to the fixed end of said scraper blade on another end of said scraper blade holder, the free end of said scraper blade contacting said detoning roll, said scraper blade holder having a crown to create an angle .crclbar. on each of two sides of said scraper blade holder to reduce the load applied by said scraper blade on the surface in crowned regions.

A method for removing particles from a surface, comprising:

• cleaning particles from the surface having a brush contacting the surface;
• detoning said brush having a detoning roll to remove particles from said brush;
• removing particles from said detoning roll with a scraper blade having a free end in contact with said detoning roll;
• supporting said scraper blade in a scraper blade holder;
• and
• applying a non-uniform normal force on said detoning roll, using a crowned scraper blade holder, which compensates for a non-uniform coefficient of friction across said detoning roll to produce a substantial uniform frictional force on said detoning roll preventing non-uniform wear along said detoning roll.

A method for removing particles from a surface, comprising:

• cleaning particles from the surface having a brush contacting the surface;
• detoning said brush having a detoning roll remove particles from said brush;
• removing particles from said detoning roll with a scraper blade having a free end in contact with said detoning roll;
• supporting said scraper blade in a scraper blade holder;
• and
• applying a non-uniform normal force on said detoning roll, using a crowned scraper blade, which compensates for a non-uniform coefficient of friction across said detoning roll to produce a substantial uniform frictional force on said detoning roll preventing non-uniform wear along said detoning roll.