Methods for in-situ cleaning of abrasive belt/planer surfaces using dry ice and cleaning systems and device related thereto

Abstract

Featured is a method and system for cleaning abrasive sanding and/or planing media, for example sandpaper, wide belt sanding belts, planers, grinding wheels or other abrasive surfaces while the media is either in-situ in the sanding, planing, grinding equipment or when removed. Additionally, the cleaning featured method and system can clean the media while the abrasive media is being used as well as when the abrasive media is not being used. In the cleaning method dry ice (CO 2 , solid carbon dioxide) particles are propelled towards the abrasive surface at a high velocity so the dry ice particles impact on the surface of the abrasive media at a high velocity. Additionally, the dry ice (CO 2 , solid carbon dioxide) particles are propelled as to impact the abrasive surface at varying angles and locations as necessary to effectively clean the abrasive surface. Further, the dry ice particles are propelled towards the abrasive media when it is in motion, for example rotating, so the dry ice particles impact the abrasive media at different locations of the media. The method and system allow the abrasive media to be cleaned while the abrasive media is being used for its' intended purpose. Thereby reducing equipment downtime usually associated with cleaning and/or changing the abrasive media due to becoming dirty and/or worn.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A process using dry ice (CO 2 , solid carbon dioxide) particles for in-situ cleaning of abrasive sanding, planing and/or grinding surfaces which have been loaded up with removed material(s) generated during the sanding, planing and/or grinding procedure, wherein solid CO 2  particles are directed at a high velocity towards the abrasive sanding, planing and/or grinding surface in such a way as to remove the contaminants from the abrasive sanding, planing and/or grinding surface and result in a clean, or renewed, abrasive sanding, planing and/or grinding surface.  
     
     
         2 . Process in accordance with    claim 1    wherein suction is applied to the dry ice particle application area during the cleaning process to capture, contain and/or collect the removed contaminants from the abrasive sanding, planing and/or grinding surface.  
     
     
         3 . Process in accordance with    claim 1    wherein the cleaning area is located in the sanding, planing or grinding equipment so that the abrasive sanding, planing and/or grinding apparatus does not have to be stopped or removed from the sanding, planing or grinding equipment.  
     
     
         4 . Process in accordance with    claim 1    wherein the sanding, planing and/or grinding apparatus is removed from the sanding, planing or grinding equipment and the cleaning area is located remotely, or at another location away from the sanding, planing or grinding equipment.  
     
     
         5 . Process in accordance with    claim 1    wherein the solid CO 2  particles are directed at a high velocity towards the abrasive sanding, planing and/or grinding surface either with a hand-held dispensing device or a dispensing device connected to an x-axis and/or a y-axis motion control device of apparatus.