Patent Publication Number: US-2023150771-A1

Title: Dry brush conveyor belt cleaning device and system

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to systems and methods for cleaning conveyor belts; more particularly, to systems and methods for cleaning soft or fabric conveyor belts as may be used, for example, in the continuous food preparation and baking arts; and most particularly to a conveyor belt cleaner system employing a rotating brush cleaning mechanisms directed to removing certain known food allergens or chemicals that are often entrapped or ensnared on or in the conveyor belt during food preparation processing and where said food allergens or chemicals could later contaminate different products subsequently prepared using that same conveyor belt. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to the art of cleaning commercial conveyor belts and most notably commercial conveyor belts that are used in connection with the manufacture of various types of goods that may incorporate ingredients or components that under different circumstances could be considered contaminants, and sometimes dangerous, if cross contamination were to occur during the manufacturing or processing of other types of goods on the same conveyor belt subsequently. 
     In the prior art, conveyor belts used in various commercial activities are known to become soiled, typically with spillage from materials being conveyed or treated on the belt. It becomes desirable and necessary to clean at least the working upper surface of the belt. The need for such cleaning is heightened when for example food products, pharmaceuticals, and other indigestible items are the article of manufacture. The need is more crucial when the ultimate article of manufacture under preparation on the conveyor belt contains ingredients or components that if accidentally permitted to contaminate certain different articles of manufacture could result in harm and potentially death. 
     As manufacturing demands have increased, often the diversity of products manufactured on any given conveyor belt has similarly grown, and with it the laws governing and controlling product manufacturing and labelling, as well as regulating the processing and inclusion or exclusion of specific ingredients or components, by intent or accident. Thus there is an urgent need for improved means for effectively removing allergens and contaminants from the conveyor belts. 
     Historically, cleaning conveyor belts has been a burdensome task accomplished by installing a cleaning device in the path of the belt and allowing the belt to pass through the cleaning device, perhaps several times, until the extraneous material is removed. However, as discussed above, recent laws, requirements, and consumer expectations have increased the burden on manufacturers of food products, pharmaceuticals, and other ingestible goods, particularly those that produce multiple types of products, some of which may contain various types of allergens or the like that could cause adverse reactions if ingested or used by unsuspected consumers prone to such allergies or sensitivities, to make certain that their various products are properly labeled to identify the inclusion or exclusion of such particulates and to prevent the accidental contamination of their other products manufactured using the same conveyor belt. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 7,784,476 to Handy (the “&#39;476 patent”) discloses and claims a portable cleaning system for cleaning a moving item such as an escalator or conveyor belt. The system comprises an overhead steam jet assembly slidably mounted on transverse rails for motion transverse to the direction of motion of the escalator or conveyor belt. The transverse rails are disposed between width-adjustable end pieces that rest on stationary outer members of the escalator. A shortcoming of this system is that the steam jet assembly is fixed at an angle transverse to the direction of motion of the conveyor belt and cannot be easily adjusted to an angle giving maximum cleaning efficiency. A further shortcoming is steam jet assembly is mechanically complex and difficult to maintain. Thus, replacing easily worn-out parts is difficult and time consuming. Perhaps, the most significant drawback presented by the system is its failure to address the removal of certain particulates (e.g., whole, crushed, or fragmented seeds and nuts, soybean particulate, wheat debris, egg debris, and fish or shellfish remains), which may become embedded in the surface conveyor belts. Indeed, it is likely that the mechanism of the assembly claimed in the &#39;476 patent would likely exacerbate these precise concerns. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 9,248,975 to Handy (the “&#39;975 patent”) also discloses and claims a portable cleaning system for cleaning a moving item such as an escalator or conveyor belt. The system comprises an overhead steam jet assembly slidably mounted on transverse rails for motion transverse to the direction of motion of the escalator or conveyor belt. The transverse rails are disposed between width-adjustable end pieces that rest on stationary outer members of the escalator. As set forth in the &#39;476 patent, the steam jet assembly is mechanically complex making replacement of worn-out parts difficult and time consuming. Further, the orientation of the steam jet assembly above the belt does not provide sufficient cleaning for food debris as the food may become lodged in the lower run of a conveyor. Perhaps, the most significant drawback presented by this system is its failure to address the removal of certain particulates (e.g., whole, crushed, or fragmented seeds and nuts, soybean particulate, wheat particulate, egg debris, and fish or shellfish remains), which may become embedded in the surface conveyor belts. Indeed, it is likely that the mechanism of the assembly claimed by the &#39;975 patent would likely exacerbate these precise concerns. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 10,150,623 to Handy (the “&#39;623 patent”) discloses and claims a cleaning apparatus comprising a connection part permitting connection to a supply of cleaning fluid, and a rotatable member rotatably movable relative to the connection part, the rotatable member being in a form of a disc with an opening within the disc in connection with the connection part to receive cleaning fluid therefrom, with one or more outlets extending from the opening in the disc, to an exterior of the disc, to supply cleaning fluid to an area or item to be cleaned, wherein the rotatable member is made of a plastics material, and wherein the rotatable member is driven by a gear provided on the rotatable member and the gear is drivable by a motor. A shortcoming of the &#39;623 system is that the rotatable gear and motor assembly require that the cleaning apparatus remain in a fixed position. A further shortcoming of this system is that the rotatable disc requires a gear transmission and electric motor, thereby increasing the complexity of the cleaning mechanism and making maintenance and replacement time-consuming and labor intensive. Perhaps, the most significant drawback presented by this system is its failure to address the removal of certain particulates (e.g., whole, crushed, or fragmented seeds and nuts, soybean particulate, wheat debris, egg debris, and fish or shellfish remains), which may become embedded in the surface conveyor belts. Indeed, it is likely that the mechanism of the assembly claimed by the &#39;623 patent would likely exacerbate these precise concerns. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 9,718,626 to Urban (the “&#39;626 patent”) discloses and claims a cleaning mechanism for use with a closed loop conveyor belt supported in continuous traversing fashion, said mechanism comprising: a housing for supporting the belt; a frame mounted to said housing proximate to the belt; a drive shaft extending between spaced apart locations of said frame and including a pair of head sprockets adapted for supporting the belt at a selected location; a motor engaging said drive shaft; and a slave shaft extending between additional spaced apart location of said frame and which is rotated via a linkage with said drive shaft, wherein first and second sprocket wheels secured respectively to extending ends of said drive shaft and slave shaft, a chain interconnecting said sprocket wheel for transferring rotational momentum of said drive shaft to said slave shaft. A shortcoming of the &#39;626 patent is that it is a complex and cumbersome mechanism making it difficult to change orientation with respect to a cleaning belt and replacing crucial parts is time consuming and costly. Perhaps, the most significant drawback presented by this system is its failure to address the removal of certain particulates (e.g., whole, crushed, or fragmented seeds and nuts, soybean particulate, wheat particulate, egg debris, and fish or shellfish remains), which may become embedded in the surface conveyor belts. Indeed, it is likely that the mechanism of the assembly claimed by the &#39;626 patent would likely exacerbate these precise concerns. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,964,331 to Kerr (the “&#39;331 patent”) discloses and claims a conveyor apparatus comprising: a support; a pair of pulleys carried by said support; an endless conveyor belt having upper and lower runs extending around said pulleys; first power means for driving one of said pulleys and said conveyor belt; a cantilever mounted rotary brush conveyor belt cleaner assembly mounted on one side of said support and extending below the lower run of said conveyor belt, said rotary brush conveyor belt cleaner assembly having a shaft with a pair of ends, and a rotary brush mounted on said shaft; a bearing support assembly supporting one end of said shaft, with the other end of said shaft being unsupported; said rotary brush and shaft extending transversely across and below said lower run for engaging and cleaning the lower run of said endless conveyor belt when driven by said first power means; and second power means for rotating said shaft and said rotary brush. A shortcoming of the &#39;331 patent is that the bearing support assembly fixes the shaft in place making reorientating the cleaning element a time-consuming and labor-intensive and expensive task. Perhaps, the most significant drawback presented by this system is its failure to address the removal of certain particulates (e.g., whole, crushed, or fragmented seeds and nuts, soybean particulate, wheat debris, egg debris, and fish or shellfish remains), which may become embedded in the surface conveyor belts. Indeed, it is likely that the mechanism of the assembly claimed by the &#39;331 patent would likely exacerbate these precise concerns. 
     While, as explained earlier, numerous commercial systems exist in the prior art for cleaning escalators and conveyor belts, (e.g., the KHD Brushless Belt Cleaning System; the Therma-Kleen Conveyor Belt Cleaner; the Amerivac-Houdini Belt Cleaning System; the Electrosteam-Belt Cleaning System; the Dupray Belt Cleaning System; and the Mekini Belt Cleaning System, which are the subjects of the &#39;476, &#39;975, &#39;623, &#39;626, and &#39;331 patents respectively), each of them are unable to address the specific needs presented herein for several reasons. Most notably, the most significant drawback presented by these systems is their failure to address the removal of certain particulates (e.g., whole, crushed, or fragmented seeds and nuts, soybean particulate, wheat debris, egg debris, and fish or shellfish remains), which may become embedded in the surface conveyor belts. Indeed, it is likely that the mechanism of these known assemblies would likely exacerbate these precise concerns. 
     What is needed in the art is a conveyor belt cleaning system for cleaning the working surface of continuous belts formed of a flexible material such as plastic or fabric, used for example, in the continuous preparation of food products, pharmaceuticals, and other ingestible products. The desired conveyor belt cleaning system will provide a means for such manufacturers of food products, pharmaceuticals, and other ingestible goods, and most notably those that produce multiple types of products, where some of such products may contain various types of allergens or the like that could cause adverse reactions if ingested or used by unsuspected consumers prone to such allergies or sensitivities to prevent the accidental contamination of their other products manufactured using the same conveyor belt through the effective removal of such contaminants and allergens. Further, what is needed in the art is such a conveyor belt cleaning system wherein the cleaning elements can be adjusted to increase efficacy in the removal of certain known food allergens or chemicals that are often entrapped or ensnared on or in the conveyor belt during food preparation processing and could later contaminate different products subsequently prepared using that same conveyor belt. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention teaches a cleaning device for a continuous conveyor. The cleaning device comprises a cleaning assembly that may be mounted below a lower conveyor belt, a cleaning assembly mounted above a higher conveyor belt, or a plurality of cleaning assembles mounted both below the lower conveyor belt and above the higher conveyor belt. The cleaning assembly is pivotable to form an angle with respect to a direction of the lower conveyor run and is operable to clean debris from the continuous conveyer. The cleaning assembly has a removable cartridge having a shaft with a pair of ends and having a cylindrical cleaner mounted on the shaft, the cylindrical cleaner in contact with the lower conveyor being run at the angle of the cleaning assembly. Also present is a cleaning rod in contact with the cylindrical cleaner. 
     In another embodiment of the present invention, the removable cartridge can indicate the type of the cylindrical cleaner and cleaning rod. Further, the use of cylindrical cleaner can be indicated on the cartridge. Preferably, the cylindrical cleaner comprises a brush having a cylindrical shaft and brush (bristle) elements extending in helical arrangement. The cylindrical cleaner may be driven by means of friction from contact with the cleaning belt or by means of a motor. 
     The present invention also teaches a system for cleaning a continuous conveyor. A continuous conveyor having an upper conveyor run and a lower conveyor run is provided. A cleaning assembly is mounted below said lower conveyor run. The cleaning assembly is pivotable, for example, by an operator using mechanical means to form an angle with respect to a direction of the lower conveyor run, which permits the easy adjustment so as to enhance the device&#39;s cleaning capacity depending on several factors including size and material of conveyors, type and size of particulate matter, and quantity of debris. Present in the cleaning assembly is a removable cartridge having a shaft with a pair of ends and having a cylindrical cleaner mounted on said shaft. The cylindrical cleaner is in contact with said lower conveyor run at the angle of the cleaning assembly. To aid in removing particulate matter, a cleaning rod in contact with said cylindrical cleaner is also provided. 
     A method for cleaning a continuous conveyor having an upper conveyor run and a lower conveyor run is also provided. A cleaning assembly is mounted below the lower conveyor run. The cleaning assembly is pivoted to form an angle with respect to a direction of the lower conveyor run. A removable cartridge having a shaft with a pair of ends and having a cylindrical cleaner mounted on said shaft is inserted into the cleaning assembly so that the cylindrical cleaner is in contact with said lower conveyor run at the angle of the cleaning assembly. A cleaning rod is also in contact with said cylindrical cleaner. Activating the continuous conveyor then causes the cylindrical cleaner to rotate and to thereby remove particulate matter from the lower conveyor run by scrubbing action. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is an is an isometric top view of the dry brush conveyor cleaning belt system showing the cleaning assembly and continuous conveyor belt. 
         FIG.  2    an isometric bottom view of the dry brush conveyor cleaning belt system showing the lateral pivot assembly. 
         FIG.  3    is schematic illustration of the conveyor cleaning belt system with a removable cartridge removed. 
         FIG.  4    is an isometric top view of the removable cartridge assembly. 
         FIG.  5    is a schematic view of the cartridge assembly showing the slide out brush assembly 
         FIG.  6    is a sectional view of the removable cartridge assembly showing the bristle cleaning rod. 
         FIG.  7    is a schematic illustration of the bristle cleaning rod interacting with the cleaning elements. 
         FIG.  8    is an isometric rear view of the removable cartridge assembly showing the belt lift cam. 
         FIG.  9    is a schematic illustration showing the operation of the adjustable pinch rollers. 
         FIG.  10    is a sectional view of the dry brush conveyor cleaning belt system showing the adjustable belt pinch rollers. 
         FIG.  11    is a sectional view showing a pivoting multiple head embodiment. 
         FIG.  12    is a sectional view of a helical brush embodiment. 
         FIG.  13    is a sectional view of an auger brush embodiment. 
         FIG.  14    shows an isometric view of the cartridge with a first motor affixed. 
         FIG.  15    shows an isometric view of the cartridge with a second motor affixed. 
         FIG.  16    shows a isometric side view of a vacuum pan enclosure. 
         FIG.  17    shows a schematic illustration of the hollow brush arrangement having fluid ports laterally disposed. 
         FIG.  18    shows an isometric view of an embodiment of the pivotable assembly with fluid feed lines. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Throughout the following description, specific elements are set forth to provide a more thorough understanding of the invention. However, in some embodiments the invention may be practiced without some of these elements. In other instances, well known elements have not been shown or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the disclosure. Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive. It is to be further noted that the drawings may not be to scale for all applications of the system and components disclosed and claimed hereby. 
     With respect  FIGS.  1 - 3   , a conveyor belt cleaner system in accordance with the present invention comprises a base assembly  10  including a plurality of transverse  14 ( a - d ), longitudinal  16 ( a - d ) and vertical  17 ( a - d ) struts forming a rectangular assembly supporting a conveyor belt  12  and rollers  13 , 15 . Two of the lower longitudinal struts  16 ( a,b ) are supportive of a laterally pivoting assembly  20 . Laterally pivoting assembly  20  itself is comprises a second set of transverse  4 ( a,b ), longitudinal  6 ( a,b ) and vertical  7 ( a,b ) struts to form a rectangular structure. Laterally pivoting assembly  20  is positioned at a variable angle  18  disposed transversely to the direction of travel of a conveyor belt  12 . The conveyor belt is shown having a continuous belt with an upper conveying run  12   a  and a lower return run  12   b . The laterally pivoting assembly  20  is disposed preferably beneath a length of the lower return run  12   b , although disposition of assembly  20  above the conveyor on conveyor run  12   a  is fully contemplated by the present invention. The conveyor belt  12  is guided over and by a first and second roller  13 ,  15 , for example, drive rollers. The rollers  13 , 15  are disposed transversely to the belt  12  at each end of the belt  12 . The continuous belt is shown rotating in a clockwise motion  19 . The second roller  15  is operatively engaged to a support housing  30  at a formed first support plate  30   a . The first support plate is affixed to a formed second  30   b  and third  30   c  support plate. The second  30   b  and third plate  30   c  are in turn affixed to transverse struts  16 . 
     An axially rotating cylindrical cleaner  50  is mounted on a drive shaft  51  that extends transversely below the return run  12   b . The cleaner  50  is mount d be ween the pair of pinch rollers  26  (shown greater detail in FIG.  3 ) and arranged one at either side of the cleaner  20 , with each roller  26  rotatably secured to the pivoting assembly by a formed support L-beams  29 ( a - d ). The pinch rollers  26  urge the underside of the return run  12   b  towards axis of the cleaner  50  and thereby press the axial distal ends of the cleaner  50  into cleaning contact with the underside of the return run  12   b . The contact of the cleaner  50  with the underside of the return run  12   b  produces a cleaning action that removes debris and particulate matter from the run  12 . Such debris could include food matter such as same seeds, peanuts whole, crushed, or fragmented seeds and nuts, soybean particulate, wheat particulate, egg debris, fish or shellfish remains, and/or other allergens. 
     In an embodiment of the present invention, a friction wheel is used to change the speed of rotation relative to the run, thereby producing a more efficient cleaning action. In some embodiments, a plurality of cleaner  50   s  could be used as shown, for example, in  FIG.  11     
     In a non limiting example, the cleaner  50  is driven by the friction from contact between the distal ends of the cleaner  50  and conveyor belt  12 . The drive from the conveyor belt  12  is conveyed to the cleaner  50 , thereby causing the shaft  51  to rotate. The clockwise rotation of the cleaning elements of cleaner  50  comprises a linear motion at their tips and provides a vigorous and efficient cleaning operation of the underside of the return run  12   b.    
     In an alternative embodiment as shown in  FIGS.  14  and  15   , the drive shaft  51  of the cleaner  50  is driven by a first or second motor  60 , 61  thereby powering the cleaner  50  and causing it to rotate. The drive from the motor  60 , 61  may be imparted to the axis of the cleaner  51  causing the cleaner  50  to axially rotate either clockwise or counterclockwise and at differing adjustable speeds, e.g., selected by an operator&#39;s input. 
     A bristle cleaning rod  54  (shown in greater detail in  FIG.  3   ) is mounted parallel to the axis of and in contact with the cleaner  50 . The removable rod slides into a slot and can be affixed by a bolt. The contact of the cleaner  50  with the cleaning rod  54  thereby removes debris from the cleaner  50 . Said debris are then laterally discharged. 
     The laterally pivoting assembly  20  houses the pinch rollers  26 , and a removable cartridge  40  housing the cleaner  50  and cleaning rod. The laterally pivoting assembly  20  is operable to laterally pivot over a vertical axis to permit adjustment of the angle  18  of the cleaner  50  in relation to the conveyor run  12 . The angle  18  can range from perpendicular to parallel to the direction of travel. The angle  18  thereby prevents wear from accumulating at the same location of the cleaner or in the same direction on the run  12 . Further, the angle  18  of cleaning contact may be used increase efficacy in removal of varying debris. By way of example as shown in  FIG.  2   , the pivot could be achieved by a lateral pivoting assembly  20  having a pivot subassembly  104  affixed to the continuous conveyor assembly mated to a second plate  106  affixed to the laterally pivoting assembly  20 . 
     In embodiments of the present invention, the angle  18  could, for example, be adjusted or a cleaner  50  could be chosen to specifically remove sesame seeds with increased efficiency. 
     Preferably, the lateral pivoting assembly  100  has a pivot travel guide  108  formed by two semicircular depressions on the second plate  106  mated with a matching extended area on the pivot subassembly  104 . A belt lift cam  61  extends distally from the laterally pivoting assembly  20  and acts to provide an upward vertical force to a potentially sagging run. 
     A removable cartridge (shown removed in  FIG.  3   )  40  housing the cleaner  50  and rod  54  can be receiving and removably engaged to the laterally pivoting assembly  20  by a manual means, such as a handle  48 . A male flange  210 , (e.g., a rail), mates with a female flange  220  to allow the cartridge  40  to be removed from and replaced into the cleaning assembly  10 . A sweeping action of the cleaner at the angle of contact with the run generates lateral kinetic Friction thereby securing the cartridge in place. 
     Preferably a helical or auger cleaner shape is used to increase the lateral kinetic friction. In another embodiment, rotating cleaner  50  and the angle at which the cleaner  50  intersect the conveyor belt  12  impart a downward force on the cartridge  40  by the friction thus generated from the angle and contact of the cleaner  50  and the moving conveyor belt  12 , thereby further securing the removable cartridge  40  in the laterally pivoting assembly  20 . In other embodiments of the present invention, the removable cartridge  40  can also be secured in the assembly by use of a latch and clasp, snap, or other methods known in the art. 
     As noted hereinabove, a common problem in prior art conveyor belt cleaners is that the cleaner is difficult and time-consuming to replace. In the present invention, however, the removable cartridge  40  is removable by an operator and can be secured without the use of any specialized device by a handle  48 . The operator can thereby easily replace or reconfigure the cleaner  50  and rod  54 . Each removable cartridge  40  can be fitted with cleaner  50  and rod  54  arrangements to more efficaciously remove debris. For example, a first arrangement could comprise a cleaner  50  and rod  54  configuration to remove sesame seed and debris more efficaciously, while a second arrangement could comprise a second cleaner  50  and rod  54  to more efficaciously remove, for example, peanut debris. 
     In another embodiment of the present invention, the cleaner  50  and removable cartridges  40  could be of differing colors to distinguish a particular usage. For example, a blue removable cartridge  40  comprising a first cleaner  50  and rod  54  combination could be used to remove sesame seeds, while a red removable cartridge  30  comprising a second cleaner  50  and rod  54  combination could be used to remove peanuts. Preferably, the removable cartridges could also display a warning or label displaying a type of contaminant or allergen so as to further avoid the opportunity for accidentally confusing one for another. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  4  and  5   , a cleaner cover  400  on the removable cartridge  40  is easily removable by an operator. Once removed, a cleaner handle  500  allows an operator to manually slide the cleaner  50  into and out the removable cartridge  40 . The cleaner  50  could then be cleaned and reused or replaced with a new cleaner  50 , rod securing assembly  410  is also shown for manually removing and replacing the rod. Preferably, a bolt assembly secures the rod in place. 
     With reference to  FIG.  6   , the rod  54  is shown affixed longitudinally to cleaner  50  in the removable cartridge  40 . Extending distally from the cleaner  50  are a plurality of cleaning elements or bristles  610 . As shown in  FIG.  7   , the counter-clockwise rotation  600  of the cleaner  50  brings the distal ends of the cleaning elements  610  into contact with the rod  54 . The rod  54  thereby bends the bristle ends clockwise generating potential energy. After the rotation of the cleaner  50  causes the cleaning elements  610  to lose contact with the cleaner  50 , the cleaning elements  610  rapidly release the potential thus generated and return to their original position, thereby ejecting any debris and particulate matter lodged in the cleaning element  610 . 
     With reference to  FIG.  8   , a belt lift cam  61  is shown. The belt lift cam  61  extends distally as a flange from the removable cartridge  40 . The belt lift cam  61  provides an upward vertical force to the lower run  12  when the cartridge is inserted, thereby allowing easier insertion of the cartridge  40  and obviating any need for an operator to make adjustments to the lower run  12 . 
     With respect to  FIGS.  9  and  10   , one of the pair of pinch rollers  26  is shown with respect to both the cleaner  50  and conveyor belt  12 . The roller  26  can be adjusted by means of a mechanical latch mechanism  920  to increase or decrease the curve of a belt wrapping arc  910  at which the underside of the return run  12   b  contacts the cleaner  50 , thereby increasing or decreasing the downward pressure of arcuic contact with the belt  12  on the cleaner. In an embodiment of the present invention, rollers can be adjusted by means of a slot mechanism and secured by bolts. As shown in  FIG.  10   , the pair of rollers  26  provides downward pressure on the belt  12 , thereby increasing or decreasing the curve of the belt wrapping arc  910  and the corresponding pressure at which the cleaning elements  610  contact the conveyor belt  12 . By adjusting the position of the rollers  26 , downward pressure can be modulated to increase cleaning efficacy for differing types of debris. 
       FIG.  11    shows a second embodiment having a plurality of cleaning head housings  1110  ( a,b,c ) pivotable with respect to the lateral direction of the belt  12 . The first cleaning head housing  1110 ( b ) is disposed above the lower run of the belt  12  and the second and third housings  1110 ( a,c ) are disposed below the lower run  12  of the belt. The housings  1110 ( a,b,c ) are pivotable at an angle  21  and operable to each receive a cartridge  40 . The pivoting motion of the cleaning head housings  1110  can be linked so that the housings  1110  move in unison. In alternative embodiments of the present invention, the cartridges  40  may be synchronized so that the cleaners  50  move in the same or opposite directions at a particular speed, for example, at the same speed or at a relative speed determined as a function of another cleaner  50 . 
     With respect to  FIGS.  12  and  13   , a helical brush  1201  is shown. The helical brush  1210  is driven by a first motor  60  so that debris are laterally disposed by auger motion of the helical bush in a first direction  1310  lateral to the cleaner  50 . 
       FIGS.  14  and  15    show a cleaner  50  driven by a first  60  and second motor  61 , respectively, the motors  60 ,  61  each attached to the cartridge  40 . The first motor  60  is, for example, formed as a square motor. The second motor  61  can be, for example, in the shape of a cylinder. The first and second motors  60 , 61  could each be configured to operate more efficiently with differing brush shapes, such as a helical shape or an auger shape. 
     In  FIG.  16   , a vacuum pan  1610  is disposed below the run  20 . The vacuum pan  1610  catches debris removed by the cartridge assembly  40  for further removal of debris through a vacuum port  1620 . The vacuum port  1620  uses negative pressure to remove debris from the vacuum an  1610 . 
     Turning to  FIGS.  17  and  18   , an cleaner  50  operable to spray fluid on the run  12  is shown. Fluid under pressure is directed into a hollow brush  1710  by a fluid feed line  1810  affixed to the cartridge  40  by a fluid swivel union  1820 . Positive fluid pressure forcibly ejects fluid from axially disposed fluid ports  1720  generating a cleaning action on the run  12 . 
     While the invention has been described by reference to various specific embodiments, it should be understood that numerous changes may be made within the spirit and scope of the inventive concepts described. Accordingly, it is intended that the invention is not limited to the described embodiments but will have full scope defined by the language of the following claims.