Apparatus and process for cleaning process surfaces

Abstract

A brush, as well as a method for cleaning a process surface using the brush, having: a hollow cylinder having a closed first end, a closed second end, and a peripheral wall with an internal and external surface; with bristles arranged on the external surface of the peripheral wall thereof; wherein the hollow cylinder has a plurality of apertures formed in the peripheral wall for permitting a gas or liquid to emerge from the interior of the hollow cylinders to the vicinity of the bristles; wherein the apertures are arranged in a staggered multi helical pattern having from about 3 to about 15 helix; and wherein the peripheral wall has a surface area ratio of from about 6 to about 30.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

While the specification concludes with claims that particularly point out and distinctly claim the present invention, it is believed that the present invention will be understood better from the following description of embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals identify identical elements.

Without intending to limit the invention, the present invention is described in more detail below.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the brush of the present invention indicating cross sections indicated as 2-2 and 3-3:

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the brush of FIG. 1 along 2-2.

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of the brush of FIG. 1 along 3-3 showing apertures arranged in a helix pattern as shown on the internal surface of the peripheral wall of the brush.

FIG. 4 is a view of an example of a quadra helix pattern that my be useful for the brush of the present invention, with a length of approximately 100 inches and a core diameter of approximately 2.556 inches.

FIG. 5 is a view of an example of a penta helix pattern that may be useful for the brush of the present invention, with a length of approximately 100 inches and a core diameter of approximately 3.195 inches.

Claims

1. A brush for cleaning a surface comprising: a hollow cylinder having a closed first end, a closed second end, and a peripheral wall having an internal surface and an external surface;a plurality of bristles arranged on the external surface of the peripheral wall;wherein the hollow cylinder comprises a plurality of apertures formed in the peripheral wall and extending therethrough for permitting a gas or liquid to emerge from the interior of the hollow cylinder to the bristles and wherein the peripheral wall has a surface area ratio of from about 6 to about 30;wherein the apertures are arranged in a staggered multi helical pattern comprising from about 3 to about 15 helixes.

2. The brush of claim 1 wherein the ratio is from about 7 to about 15.

3. The brush of claim 2 wherein the ratio is from about 8 to about 13.

4. The brush of claim 3 wherein the ratio is from about 9 to about 11.

5. The brush of claim 2 having from about 4 to about 12 helixes.

6. The brush of claim 5 having from about 4 to about 6 helixes.

7. The brush of claim 6 having about 4 helixes.

8. The brush of claim 5 having from about 20 to about 25 apertures per linear foot of the hollow cylinder.

9. The brush of claim 8 having from about 23 to about 24 apertures per linear foot of the hollow cylinder.

10. The brush of claim 1 wherein the gas or liquid is steam.

11. The brush of claim 10 wherein a steam delivery valve is connected to the closed first end, the closed second end or both.

12. A method for cleaning a surface comprising: providing a surface to be cleaned;contacting the surface with bristles of a brush comprising: a hollow cylinder having a closed first end, a closed second end, and a peripheral wall having an internal surface and an external surface;a plurality of bristles arranged on the external surface of the peripheral wall;wherein the hollow cylinder comprises a plurality of apertures formed in the peripheral wall, the apertures arranged in a staggered multi helical pattern comprising from about 3 to about 15 helixes; wherein the peripheral wall has a surface area ratio of from about 6 to about 30;delivering a gas or a liquid to the interior of the hollow cylinder whereby the gas or liquid is delivered in the vicinity of the bristles through the apertures; andeffecting the movement of the bristles relative to the surface to provide an agitating cleaning action thereon.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the ratio is from about 7 to about 15.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein the ratio is from about 8 to about 13.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein the ratio is from about 9 to about 11.

16. The method of claim 13 having from about 4 to about 12 helixes.

17. The method of claim 16 having from about 4 to about 6 helixes.

18. The method of claim 17 having about 4 helixes.

19. The method of claim 16 having from about 20 to about 25 apertures per linear foot of the hollow cylinder.

20. The method of claim 19 having from about 23 to about 24 apertures per linear foot of the hollow cylinder.

21. The method of claim 12 wherein the gas or liquid is steam.

22. The method of claim 21 wherein a steam delivery valve is connected to the closed first end, the closed second end, or both.

23. The method of claim 21 wherein the surface is paper manufacturing process surface.

24. The method of claim 23 wherein the surface is a paper emboss roller, a marrying roll or a printing plate.

25. The method of claim 12 wherein the surface is used to imprint, emboss or manufacture a deformable material or a polymeric film.