Residue removal apparatus and process

Abstract

A method and apparatus for removing residue from an edge of an item are disclosed. The method and apparatus are well-suited to assist in reconditioning used shelving units or deck units for store displays. In various embodiments, ticket holders are removed from the ticket edges of the units. Each unit is then placed on a conveyor and aligned with a guide edge. Optionally, magnets may hold each unit in place on the conveyor. The conveyor moves the units along at least one residue removing machine, and ideally, two residue removing or buffing machines in succession. The residue removing machines ideally include a rotating buffing wheel which strips residue such as glue from the ticket edge of the units. A vacuum can be used to collect debris produced from this process. Sensors may be positioned to sense the front edge of each unit and slide each residue removing machine into operating position at the right time once the front edge of each unit is in residue removing position. The units may be cleansed and painted after the glue or residue is removed.

1 . A method for removing residue from a surface of an object comprising the steps of:
 positioning an object on a conveyor with a first surface facing a residue removing direction,   moving said object via said conveyor along a first residue removing machine, and   removing residue from said first surface with said first residue removing machine.   
     
     
         2 . The method for removing residue from a surface of an object according to  claim 1 , wherein said object is a manufactured object, and wherein said step of removing residue from said first surface comprises at least a portion of a refurbishing process. 
     
     
         3 . The method for removing residue from a surface of an object according to  claim 1 , further comprising the steps of:
 moving said object via said conveyor along a second residue removing machine, and   removing residue from said first surface with said second residue removing machine.   
     
     
         4 . The method of removing residue from a surface of an object according to  claim 3 , wherein said residue comprises glue. 
     
     
         5 . The method of removing residue from a surface of an object according to  claim 4 , wherein said first residue removing machine is a first buffing machine. 
     
     
         6 . A method for reconditioning a shelving or deck unit comprising the steps of:
 placing a shelving or deck unit having a ticket edge having residue thereon on a conveyor with the ticket edge facing a residue removing direction,   moving said shelving or deck unit via said conveyor along a first residue removing machine, and   removing at least a portion of said residue from said ticket edge with said first residue removing machine.   
     
     
         7 . The method for reconditioning a shelving or deck unit according to  claim 6 , wherein said residue comprises glue. 
     
     
         8 . The method for reconditioning a shelving or deck unit according to  claim 7 , wherein said first residue removing machine comprises a rotating buffing wheel aligned to remove said glue from the ticket edge of said shelving or deck unit as said unit passes by said first residue removing machine. 
     
     
         9 . The method for reconditioning a shelving or deck unit according to  claim 8 , further comprising the steps of:
 moving said shelving or deck unit via said conveyor along a second residue removing machine, and   buffing the ticket edge of said shelving or deck unit with said second residue removing machine.   
     
     
         10 . A method for reconditioning a plurality of shelving or deck units comprising the steps of:
 placing a plurality of shelving or deck units each having a ticket edge having residue thereon on a conveyor aligned one after another in spaced relation with the ticket edge facing a buffing direction,   moving said shelving or deck units via said conveyor along a first buffing machine, and   removing at least a portion of said residue from said ticket edge of each of said units with said first buffing machine.   
     
     
         11 . The method for reconditioning a plurality of shelving or deck units according to  claim 10 , further comprising the step of:
 aligning said plurality of units with respect to an edge guide along an edge of said conveyor.   
     
     
         12 . The method for reconditioning a plurality of shelving or deck units according to  claim 11 , wherein said plurality of units are composed of steel, and further comprising the step of:
 holding said plurality of units onto said conveyor via a plurality of magnets.   
     
     
         13 . The method for reconditioning a plurality of shelving or deck units according to  claim 11 , further comprising the steps of:
 moving said plurality of shelving or deck units via said conveyor along a second residue removing machine, and   buffing the ticket edge of said plurality of shelving or deck units with said second residue removing machine.   
     
     
         14 . The method for reconditioning a plurality of shelving or deck units according to  claim 11 , wherein said first and second residue removing machines comprise rotating buffing wheels aligned to buff the ticket edge of each of said plurality of units. 
     
     
         15 . The method for reconditioning a plurality of shelving or deck units according to  claim 14 , further comprising the step of:
 providing a vacuum intake in close proximity to a buffing area wherein said vacuum intake removes debris dislodged via said first and second residue removing machines.   
     
     
         16 . The method for reconditioning a plurality of shelving or deck units according to  claim 14 , further comprising the step of:
 providing a sensing device oriented to sense the presence of one of said plurality of units, wherein said sensing device triggers a mechanism to move said first residue removing machine into operative position with respect to said one of said plurality of units once a front edge of said one of said plurality of units is in position for buffing.   
     
     
         17 . The method for reconditioning a plurality of shelving or deck units according to  claim 16 , wherein said first and second residue removing machines are positioned on sliding mounts via which said machines are able to slide in and out of operative position. 
     
     
         18 . The method for reconditioning a plurality of shelving or deck units according to  claim 17 , further comprising the step of:
 removing ticket holder strips from said plurality of units prior to the step of placing a plurality of shelving or deck units each having a ticket edge having residue thereon on a conveyor.   
     
     
         19 . The method for reconditioning a plurality of shelving or deck units according to  claim 18 , further comprising the step of:
 cleansing the ticket edge of said plurality of units subsequent to the step of buffing the ticket edge of said plurality of shelving or deck units with said second buffing machine.   
     
     
         20 . The method for reconditioning a plurality of shelving or deck units according to  claim 19 , further comprising the step of:
 applying paint to the ticket edge of said plurality of units subsequent to the step of cleansing the ticket edge of said plurality of units.   
     
     
         21 . An apparatus for automated reconditioning of a plurality of shelving or deck units comprising:
 a conveyor adapted to receive and move a plurality of shelving or deck units,   at least a first residue removing machine positioned along side said conveyor adapted to buff a ticket edge of such units.   
     
     
         22 . The apparatus for automated reconditioning of a plurality of shelving or deck units according to  claim 21 , further comprising:
 a second residue removing machine positioned to buff the ticket edge of such units.   
     
     
         23 . The apparatus for automated reconditioning of a plurality of shelving or deck units according to  claim 22 , further comprising:
 a sensor adapted to sense when a front edge of one of such units has approached a buffing position, wherein said sensor triggers one of said first and second machines to move into operating position at a time which coincides with one of such units being in a buffing position.   
     
     
         24 . The apparatus for automated reconditioning of a plurality of shelving or deck units according to  claim 23 , further comprising:
 a plurality of magnets for holding such units in place on said conveyor.   
     
     
         25 . The apparatus for automated reconditioning of a plurality of shelving or deck units according to  claim 24 , further comprising:
 a vacuum adapted to collect debris produced when residue is removed from such units by said residue removing machines.   
     
     
         26 . The apparatus for automated reconditioning of a plurality of shelving or deck units according to  claim 25 , further comprising:
 an edge guide aligned along an edge of said conveyor adapted to provide an alignment guide for such units.   
     
     
         27 . The apparatus for automated reconditioning of a plurality of shelving or deck units according to  claim 26 , further comprising:
 a shield positioned above said conveyor over a buffing area adapted to prevent debris from being projected upward beyond said shield.