Back to results
US 6,543,078 B1Granted
Apparatus and method for cleaning object having generally irregular surface features
AssigneeEastman Kodak Company
InventorsGerard W. Ernst, Thomas Albano, Dean L. Smith, Klaus R. Pohl
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus and method for cleaning objects having generally irregular surface features, such as reloadable photographic cameras, has a partial enclosure having opposing side walls, and a top wall joining the opposing side walls. An air ionizing element composed of an ion emitter and an air knife is arranged in the enclosure for electrostatically neutralizing the object with ions entrained in a curtain-like stream of air directed onto the object.
Claims8
Apparatus for cleaning objects having generally irregular surface features, said apparatus comprising:
- a partial enclosure having opposing side walls, a top wall joining said opposing side walls, a first opening at one end of said side walls and a second opening opposite said first opening;
- an object support member for supporting said objects with the generally irregular surface features exposed for cleaning in said partial enclosure;
- an air ionizing element arranged in said partial enclosure above said generally irregular surface features of said objects, said air ionizing element directing a curtain-like stream of ionized air onto said generally irregular surface features of said objects thereby neutralizing electrostatic electric field intensities and dislodging particles from said generally irregular surface features;
- and,
- means for exhausting particles dislodged from said generally irregular surface features, said particles being captured in a downward flow of directed air and directed away from said objects.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.