Laser cleaning and bleaching apparatus
OwnerWilliam G. Ripley, David A. Ripleyinventors
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method and apparatus for bleaching and cleaning fibers of a fiber web. The method and apparatus includes continuously forming and moving a fiber web through a bleaching and cleaning station. Directing ultraviolet light onto the surface of the fiber web forming a bleaching and cleaning line. Selecting an intensity and frequency for the ultraviolet light sufficient to separate micro trash and dust from the fibers while simultaneously destroying pigment of the fibers. Collecting and removing the micro dust and trash while conveying the fiber web to subsequent fiber processing apparatus.
Claims17
A fiber web bleaching and cleaning arrangement operative to remove micro dust and trash from fibers forming a moving fiber web while bleaching said fibers, said arrangement comprising:
- conveying apparatus for conveying a fiber web in and from first locations to and through second locations;
- dust and trash removal apparatus arranged beneath at least a portion of said conveying apparatus;
- support structure arranged adjacent said conveying apparatus, said support structure carrying fiber bleaching and cleaning apparatus, said fiber bleaching and cleaning apparatus being arranged at least over a portion of said fiber web and conveying apparatus;
- whereby,
- said bleaching and cleaning apparatus is operative to impact upon said fibers of said moving fiber web in a continuous manner causing said micro dust and trash to separate and fall away from said fibers while simultaneously bleaching said fibers of said fiber web and said dust and trash removal apparatus is operative to remove said separated micro dust and trash.
A fiber web bleaching and cleaning arrangement operative to remove micro dust and trash from fibers forming a moving fiber web while bleaching said fibers, said arrangement comprising:
- conveying apparatus for conveying a fiber web in and from first locations to and through second locations;
- support structure arranged adjacent said conveying apparatus, said support structure carrying at least one bank of ultra-violet lasers which are operative to direct ultra-violet light beams onto said fiber web, said ultraviolet light beams acting as fiber bleaching and cleaning apparatus, said fiber cleaning and bleaching apparatus being arranged at least over a portion of said fiber web;
- whereby,
- said bleaching and cleaning apparatus is operative to impact upon said fibers of said moving fiber web in a continuous manner causing said micro dust and trash to separate and fall away from said fibers while simultaneously bleaching said fibers of said fiber web.
A fiber web bleaching and cleaning arrangement operative to remove micro dust and trash from fibers forming a moving fiber web while bleaching said fibers, said arrangement comprising:
- conveying apparatus for conveying a fiber web between first and second locations;
- support structure arranged adjacent said conveying apparatus, said support structure carrying fiber bleaching and cleaning apparatus and dust and trash removal apparatus, said fiber cleaning and bleaching apparatus being arranged at least over said fiber web and said dust and trash removal apparatus being arranged beneath said fiber web;
- said micro dust and trash removal apparatus being arranged along an axis which extends transversely of said fiber web and comprises one of a conduit through which air is forced and a transporting belt;
- whereby
- said bleaching and cleaning apparatus is operative to impact upon said fibers of said moving fiber web in a continuous manner causing said micro dust and trash to separate and fall away from said fibers while simultaneously bleaching said fibers of said fiber web.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.