Apparatus and method of cleaning film

Abstract

An apparatus and method for removing dry contaminants, grease, oil, and mottle is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a pair of rollers, a pair of applicators secured to the rollers, a tank to hold a cleaning solution, and a pair of transfer rollers between the tank and the applicators, adapted to apply a cleaning solution to the applicator. A pair of electric stepping motors is utilized to drive the rollers, causing said rollers and applicators to rotate in opposite direction to one another. An oscillator, digital splitter, and a pair of translator drives are also employed to, in conjunction with the motors, to further cause the rollers and applicators to rotate in pulsed, 0.7 degree increments, at a rate of approximately 100 pulsed increments per second.

What is claimed:  
     
         1 . A film cleaning apparatus comprising: 
 a film feeding device;    a film cleaner, adapted to receive film from said film feeding device, having, 
 at least one roller;  
 at least one applicator removably attached to said at least one roller;  
 at least one solvent tank adjacent to said at least one applicator having at least one transfer roller to transfer solvent, said transfer roller having a continuous helical groove and in rotating contact with said at least one applicator;  
   a film buffer adapted to receive film from said film cleaner having 
 at least one buffing roller having a buffer removably attached to said buffing roller;  
   a film receiving device adapted to receive film from said film buffer.    
     
     
         2 . A film cleaning apparatus according to  claim 1  further comprising at least one heater in operative contact with said at least one solvent tank.  
     
     
         3 . A film cleaning apparatus according to  claim 1  further comprising at least one solvent storage reservoir modified to deliver solvent to said at least one solvent tank.  
     
     
         4 . A film cleaning apparatus according to  claim 3  further comprising a controller to control the flow of said solvent from said at least one storage reservoir.  
     
     
         5 . A film cleaning apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said solvent is hydronaptha.  
     
     
         6 . A film cleaning apparatus comprising: 
 a film feeding device;    at least one particle transfer device adapted to receive said film from said film feeding device    a film cleaner, adapted to receive film from said at least one particle transfer roller, having, 
 at least one roller;  
 at least one applicator removably attached to said at least one roller;  
 at least one solvent tank adjacent to said at least one applicator having at least one transfer roller to transfer solvent, said transfer roller having a continuous helical groove and in rotating contact with said at least one applicator;  
   a film buffer adapted to receive film from said film cleaner having 
 at least one buffing roller having a buffer removably attached to said buffing roller;  
   a film receiving device adapted to receive film from said film buffer.    
     
     
         7 . A film cleaning apparatus according to  claim 6  further comprising at least one heater in operative contact with said at least one solvent tank.  
     
     
         8 . A film cleaning apparatus according to  claim 6  further comprising at least one solvent storage reservoir modified to deliver solvent to said at least one solvent tank.  
     
     
         9 . A film cleaning apparatus according to  claim 8  further comprising a controller to control the flow of said solvent from said at least one storage reservoir.  
     
     
         10 . A film cleaning apparatus according to  claim 6  wherein said solvent is hydronaptha.  
     
     
         11 . A film cleaning apparatus comprising: 
 a film feeding device;    at least one particle transfer device adapted to receive said film from said film feeding device;    at least one film guide to channel said film from said at least one particle transfer device;    a film cleaner, adapted to receive film from said at least one film guide, having, 
 at least one roller;  
 at least one applicator removably attached to said at least one roller;  
 at least one solvent tank adjacent to said at least one applicator having at least one transfer roller to transfer solvent, said transfer roller having a continuous helical groove and in rotating contact with said at least one applicator;  
   at least one film buffer adapted to receive film from said film cleaner having 
 at least one buffing roller having a buffer removably attached to said at least one buffing roller;  
   a film receiving device adapted to receive film from said film buffer.    
     
     
         12 . A film cleaning apparatus according to  claim 11  further comprising at least one heater in operative contact with said at least one solvent tank.  
     
     
         13 . A film cleaning apparatus according to  claim 11  further comprising at least one solvent storage reservoir modified to deliver solvent to said at least one solvent tank.  
     
     
         14 . A film cleaning apparatus according to  claim 13  further comprising a controller to control the flow of said solvent from said at least one storage reservoir.  
     
     
         15 . A film cleaning apparatus according to  claim 11  wherein said solvent is hydronaptha.  
     
     
         16 . A film cleaning apparatus comprising: 
 a film feeding device;    at least one particle transfer device adapted to receive said film from said film feeding device;    at least one film guide to channel said film from said at least one particle transfer device;    a second at least one particle transfer device adapted to receive said film from said film guide;    a film cleaner, adapted to receive film from said second at least one particle transfer device, having, 
 at least one roller;  
 at least one applicator removably attached to said at least one roller;  
 at least one solvent tank adjacent to said at least one applicator having at least one transfer roller to transfer solvent, said transfer roller having a continuous helical groove and in rotating contact with said at least one applicator;  
   at least one film buffer adapted to receive film from said film cleaner having 
 at least one buffing roller having a buffer removably attached to said at least one buffing roller;  
   at least one particle transfer device adapted to receive said film from said at least one film buffer;    a film receiving device adapted to receive film from said film buffer.    
     
     
         17 . A film cleaning apparatus according to  claim 16  further comprising at least one heater in operative contact with said at least one solvent tank.  
     
     
         18 . A film cleaning apparatus according to  claim 16  further comprising at least one solvent storage reservoir modified to deliver solvent to said at least one solvent tank.  
     
     
         19 . A film cleaning apparatus according to  claim 18  further comprising a controller to control the flow of said solvent from said at least one storage reservoir.  
     
     
         20 . A film cleaning apparatus according to  claim 16  wherein said solvent is hydronaptha.  
     
     
         21 . A film cleaner comprising: 
 at least one roller;    at least one applicator removably attached to said at least one roller;    at least one solvent tank adjacent to said at least one applicator having at least one transfer roller to transfer solvent, said transfer roller having a continuous helical groove and in rotating contact with said at least one applicator.    
     
     
         22 . A film cleaner according to  claim 21  further comprising at least one heater in operative contact with said at least one solvent tank.  
     
     
         23 . A film cleaner according to  claim 21  further comprising at least one solvent storage reservoir modified to deliver solvent to said at least one solvent tank.  
     
     
         24 . A film cleaner according to  claim 23  further comprising a controller to control the flow of said solvent from said at least one storage reservoir.  
     
     
         25 . A film cleaner according to  claim 21  wherein said solvent is hydronaptha.  
     
     
         26 . A film cleaner comprising: 
 at least one roller    at least one applicator removably attached to said at least one roller;    at least one solvent tank adjacent to said at least one applicator having at least one transfer roller to transfer solvent, said transfer roller having a continuous helical groove and in rotating contact with said at least one applicator;    a film buffer adapted to receive film from said film cleaner having at least one buffing roller having a buffer removably attached to said at least one buffing roller.    
     
     
         27 . A film cleaner according to  claim 26  further comprising at least one heater in operative contact with said at least one solvent tank.  
     
     
         28 . A film cleaner according to  claim 26  further comprising at least one solvent storage reservoir modified to deliver solvent to said at least one solvent tank.  
     
     
         29 . A film cleaner according to  claim 28  further comprising a controller to control the flow of said solvent from said at least one storage reservoir.  
     
     
         30 . A film cleaner according to  claim 26  wherein said solvent is hydronaptha.