Patent ID: 6490746
Filing Date: 2002-12-10
Classification: B08B,G11B

Abstract:
Apparatus for cleaning electrostatically charged particles from objects having generally irregular, undulating 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 opposing side walls and a second opening opposite said first opening; an object support member for supporting objects being cleaned with the generally irregular, undulating surface features exposed for cleaning inside said partial enclosure; a first air ionizing element arranged in said partial enclosure at a predetermined angle relative to said generally irregular, undulating surface features, said first air ionizing element directing a curtain-like stream of ionized air onto the generally irregular, undulating surface features of said objects being cleaned thereby neutralizing electric field intensities and dislodging charged particles from one portion of said generally irregular, undulating surface features; a second air ionizing element arranged in said partial enclosure opposite said first air ionizing element, said second air ionizing element being arranged at a predetermined angle relative to said generally irregular, undulating surface features, said second air ionizing element directing a curtain-like stream of ionized air onto the generally irregular, undulating surface features of said objects being cleaned thereby neutralizing electric field intensities and dislodging charged particles from a remaining portion of said generally irregular, undulating surface features; and, means for exhausting particles dislodged from said generally irregular, undulating, surface features, said particles being captured by a downward flow of directed air and directed away from said objects being cleaned.