Illinois Tool Works Inc.

Rory A Wolf

Sheila Hamilton

Stephen Frank Mitchell

Robert A Kleinschmidt

Eric J Urban

Robert Alan Kleinschmidt

Eric John Urban

A system () for cleaning an object () includes a roll cleaner () having a rotatable elastomeric roll () with a cylindrical outer surface configured to contact the first surface of the object (), a rotatable adhesive roll () with a cylindrical outer surface contacting a portion of the outer surface of the elastomeric roll (), and a support (). The object () passes between the elastomeric roll () and the support (), which contacts a second, opposing object surface. An atmospheric plasma cleaner () includes a sealed chamber () and at least one electrode () disposed in the chamber () and receiving a high voltage to generate a plasma applied to the first object surface. At least a portion of an inlet of the plasma cleaner () is formed by the elastomeric roll () and the support (), and the contacting of the first and second surfaces of the object () by the elastomeric roll () and the support () seals the inlet of the plasma cleaner ().

System and method for cleaning an object

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a position adjustment mechanism is provided for automatically adjusting the position of an electrode relative to a ground roller in a corona treatment apparatus. The position adjustment mechanism is capable of detecting thickened areas in a web of material that is being treated and automatically adjusting the air gap to maintain the quality of the surface treatment of the web.

Position adjustment mechanism for a corona treatment apparatus

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, an airfoil apparatus is provided which minimizes entry of entrained air into a system having a controlled internal environment, such as a corona treatment system, such entrained air resulting from a high-speed web moving into the system. According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the airfoil apparatus is rotatable relative to the system so that the airfoil apparatus can be adjusted to changes in the web.

Airfoil apparatus for a system having a controlled internal environment

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a color sensor is provided for sensing whether a ground roller in a corona treatment system needs to be serviced. The color sensor is capable of detecting imperfections which have changed the reflectance level of the ground roller from a predefined level. According to another aspect of the present disclosure, if a determination is made that the ground roller needs to be serviced, then an alarm is activated and/or the operation of the corona treatment system is ceased.

Growing community of inventors

Hartford, WI, United States of America

Rory A Wolf