Card cleaning device

Abstract

A card cleaning device for use in an image forming machine includes a frame adapted for installation into an appropriately configured image forming machine, a bottom card cleaning roller having a shaft removably coupled to the frame and adapted for cleaning a card being fed at an angle relative to the frame and a top adhesive roller coupled removably to the frame on top of the bottom roller for continuous cleaning of the bottom roller by means of friction during device operation. The cards are being fed one at a time at an angle relative to the frame to save internal printer space by a card feeder mechanism disposed proximate to the card cleaning device with the entering end of each card being slightly bent upon first card contact with a pair of card entry guides or a card entry guide plate coupled to the frame under the bottom roller so as to enable card feeding at an angle and prevent premature wear of the bottom card cleaning roller.

1. A card cleaning device for use in an image forming machine, comprising:
 (a) a housing adapted to be removably coupled to said image forming machine;  
 (b) a first cleaning member removably coupled to said housing and adapted to clean a card being fed at an angle relative to said housing, said housing being adapted to receive said card at an angle; and  
 (c) a second cleaning member removably coupled to said housing and adapted to clean said first cleaning member during machine operation.  
 
     
     
       2. The card cleaning device of  claim 1 , wherein said second cleaning member is in frictional contact with said first cleaning member and adapted to clean said first cleaning member during machine operation. 
     
     
       3. The card cleaning device of  claim 1 , wherein said first cleaning member includes a first roller having a shaft removably coupled to said housing and said second cleaning member includes a second roller having a core removably coupled to said housing, said second roller being in frictional contact with said first roller and adapted to clean said first roller during machine operation. 
     
     
       4. The card cleaning device of  claim 3 , further comprising a lid rotatably coupled to said housing substantially over said second roller for rotating between an open position for roller maintenance and a closed position during machine operation, said lid adapted to contact said core of said second roller when said lid is in said closed position. 
     
     
       5. The card cleaning device of  claim 4 , further comprising at least one spring operatively coupled between said lid and said housing for spring loading said lid, said spring-loaded lid exerting pressure on said core of said second roller when said lid is in said closed position, said pressure being transferred to said first roller as a result of said frictional contact between said first and second rollers. 
     
     
       6. The card cleaning device of  claim 5 , further comprising a first drive roller disposed substantially under said first roller and in frictional contact with a card being fed for passing said card under said first roller for card cleaning. 
     
     
       7. The card cleaning device of  claim 3 , further comprising means for guiding the entry of a card being fed at an angle relative to said housing. 
     
     
       8. The card cleaning device of  claim 7 , wherein said entry guiding means includes at least one card entry guide coupled to said housing substantially under said first roller for establishing a zone of first contact for said card and for preventing premature wear of said first roller during card feeding. 
     
     
       9. A card cleaning system for use with an image forming machine, comprising:
 (a) a housing adapted to be removably coupled to said image forming machine;  
 (b) a first cleaning member removably coupled to said housing and adapted to clean a card being fed at an angle relative to said housing along a card entry path, said housing being adapted to receive said card at an angle, said angle substantially defined between said card entry path and a card exit path relative to said housing;  
 (c) means for feeding said card at an angle relative to said housing; and  
 (d) a second cleaning member removably coupled to said housing and adapted to clean said first cleaning member during machine operation.  
 
     
     
       10. The card cleaning system of  claim 9 , wherein said second cleaning member is in frictional contact with said first cleaning member and adapted to clean said first cleaning member during machine operation. 
     
     
       11. The card cleaning system of  claim 9 , wherein said first cleaning member includes a first roller having a shaft removably coupled to said housing and said second cleaning member includes a second roller having a core removably coupled to said housing, said second roller being in frictional contact with said first roller and adapted to clean said first roller during machine operation. 
     
     
       12. The card cleaning device of  claim 11 , further comprising a lid rotatably coupled to said housing substantially over said second roller for rotating between an open position for roller maintenance and a closed position during machine operation, said lid adapted to contact said core of said second roller when said lid is in said closed position. 
     
     
       13. The card cleaning device of  claim 12 , further comprising at least one spring operatively coupled between said lid and said housing for spring loading said lid, said spring-loaded lid exerting pressure on said core of said second roller when said lid is in said closed position, said pressure being transferred to said first roller as a result of said frictional contact between said first and second rollers. 
     
     
       14. The card cleaning device of  claim 13 , further comprising a first drive roller disposed substantially under said first roller and in frictional contact with a card being fed for passing said card under said first roller for card cleaning. 
     
     
       15. The card cleaning device of  claim 11 , wherein said card feeding means includes a card feeder disposed proximate to said housing substantially over said card entry path, a second drive roller disposed substantially under said card feeder for translating said card along said card entry path and at least one card entry guide coupled to said housing substantially under said first roller for establishing a zone of first contact for an entering card and for preventing premature wear of said first roller during card feeding, said card feeder mechanism adapted to bend said card upon card contact with said at least one card entry guide to enable card feeding at an angle relative to said housing. 
     
     
       16. For use in a printer or other system forming images on cards or other such media, a replaceable media cleaning cartridge comprising:
   a. a first cleaning component structured and arranged to engage and present to a moving media unit being cleaned, a changing first contact surface area; and        b. a second cleaning component structured and arranged to engage and present to said first cleaning component, a changing second contact surface area, whereby to clean the first cleaning component;        c. the tackiness of said second contact surface area being greater than the tackiness of said first contact surface area which in turn is greater than the tackiness of a media unit such that said first contact surface area adhesively attracts particles from a media unit being cleaned, and said second contact surface area adhesively attracts particles from said first contact surface area.     
     
     
       17. The media cleaning cartridge of  claim 16  wherein said first cleaning component comprises a roller. 
     
     
       18. The media cleaning cartridge of  claim 16  wherein said second cleaning component comprises a roller. 
     
     
       19. The media cleaning cartridge of  claim 16  wherein said second cleaning component is structured for quick removal from said cartridge. 
     
     
       20. The media cleaning cartridge of  claim 16  wherein said first cleaning component is structured for quick removal from said cartridge. 
     
     
       21. The media cleaning cartridge of  claim 16  wherein both of said first and second cleaning components are structured for quick removal from said cartridge. 
     
     
       22. The media cleaning cartridge of  claim 16  wherein said second contact surface is replaceable. 
     
     
       23. The media cleaning cartridge of  claim 16  wherein said cartridge has a frame which supports said first and second cleaning components, said frame being configured such that at least said first cleaning component is supported in a slot in said frame. 
     
     
       24. The media cleaning cartridge of  claim 16  wherein said cartridge has a frame which supports said first and second cleaning components, said frame being configured such that at least said second cleaning component is supported in a slot in said frame. 
     
     
       25. The media cleaning cartridge of  claim 16  wherein said cartridge has a frame which supports said first and second cleaning components, said frame being configured such that said first and second cleaning components are supported in one or more slots in said frame. 
     
     
       26. The media cleaning cartridge of  claim 16  wherein the total second contact surface area on said second cleaning component is greater than the total first contact surface area on said first cleaning component. 
     
     
       27. The media cleaning cartridge of  claim 16  wherein said second cleaning component comprises a disposable tube having said second contact surface area and a core upon which said tube is mounted. 
     
     
       28. The media cleaning cartridge of  claim 27  wherein said core comprises a pair of end caps, one positioned in each end of said tube. 
     
     
       29. For use in a printer or other system forming images on cards or other such media, a replaceable media cleaning cartridge comprising:
   a. a first cleaning component structured and arranged to engage and present to a moving media unit being cleaned, a changing first contact surface area; and        b. a second cleaning component structured and arranged to engage and present to said first cleaning component, a changing second contact surface area;        c. the tackiness of said second contact surface area being greater than the tackiness of said first contact surface area which in turn is greater than the tackiness of a media unit such that said first contact surface area adhesively attracts particles from a media unit being cleaned, and said second contact surface area adhesively attracts particles from said first contact surface area, wherein said cartridge includes a resilient member adapted to bias said second cleaning component into engagement with said first cleaning component.     
     
     
       30. For use in a printer or other system forming images on cards or other such media, a replaceable media cleaning cartridge comprising:
   a. a first cleaning component structured and arranged to engage and present to a moving media unit being cleaned, a changing first contact surface area; and        b. a second cleaning component structured and arranged to engage and present to said first cleaning component, a changing second contact surface area;        c. the tackiness of said second contact surface area being greater than the tackiness of said first contact surface area which in turn is greater than the tackiness of a media unit such that said first contact surface area adhesively attracts particles from a media unit being cleaned, and said second contact surface area adhesively attracts particles from said first contact surface area,        wherein said second cleaning component is mounted above said first cleaning component such that gravity forces said first cleaning component against said media unit.     
     
     
       31. For use in a printer or other system forming images on cards or other such media, a replaceable media cleaning cartridge adapted to be received in the system and configured to support one or more cleaning components structured and arranged to engage and present to a moving media unit being cleaned a changing tacky contact surface area, wherein said cartridge comprises:
   a. a first cleaning component structured and arranged to engage and present to the moving media unit being cleaned, a changing first contact surface area; and        b. a second cleaning component structured and arranged to engage and present to said first cleaning component, a changing second contact surface area.     
     
     
       32. The media cleaning cartridge of  claim 31  including mounting structures adapted for quick installation of the cartridge in the system. 
     
     
       33. The media cleaning cartridge of  claim 31  wherein said cartridge has a frame which supports said one or more cleaning components and is configured to define a media access opening on a first face of said cartridge. 
     
     
       34. The media cleaning cartridge of  claim 33  wherein said opening comprises a window with at least one beveled edge. 
     
     
       35. The media cleaning cartridge of  claim 33  wherein said cartridge is adapted to receive a media unit to be cleaned through said opening along an input path having a predetermined acute entry angle relative to horizontal. 
     
     
       36. The media cleaning cartridge of  claim 35  wherein said acute entry angle is about  15  degrees. 
     
     
       37. The media cleaning cartridge of  claim 36 , wherein said cartridge defines a media exit opening on a second face of said cartridge having an exit angle that is substantially horizontal. 
     
     
       38. The media cleaning cartridge of  claim 35  wherein said cartridge is adapted to effect a media unit which has been cleaned through said opening along an output path having a predetermined exit angle which is different than said entry angle relative to horizontal. 
     
     
       39. For use in a printer or other system forming images on cards or other such media, a replaceable media cleaning cartridge adapted to be received in the system and configured to support one or more cleaning components structured and arranged to engage and present to a moving media unit being cleaned a changing tacky contact surface area, said cartridge is bidirectionally effective and adapted to receive a media unit on either of opposed first and second faces thereof. 
     
     
       40. For use in a printer or other system forming images on cards or other such media, a replaceable media cleaning cartridge adapted to be received in the system and configured to support one or more cleaning components structured and arranged to engage and present to a moving media unit being cleaned a changing tacky contact surface area, the media cleaning cartridge including mounting structures adapted for quick installation of the cartridge in the system, wherein said mounting structures include a latch. 
     
     
       41. For use in a printer or other system forming images on cards or other such media, a replaceable media cleaning cartridge adapted to be received in the system and configured to support one or more cleaning components structured and arranged to engage and present to a moving media unit being cleaned a changing tacky contact surface area, including at least one upstanding tab adapted to be manually grasped for installation of the cartridge into the system. 
     
     
       42. For use in a printer or other system forming images on cards or other such media, a replaceable media cleaning cartridge adapted to be received in the system and configured to support one or more cleaning components structured and arranged to engage and present to a moving media unit being cleaned a changing tacky contact surface area, wherein said cartridge includes an upstanding arm on each side of the cartridge. 
     
     
       43. The media cleaning cartridge of  claim 42  wherein said arms are resilient and adapted to be flexed toward each other to facilitate installation of the cartridge in the system. 
     
     
       44. The media cleaning cartridge of  claim 43  wherein said arms each have a detent provision configured to cooperate with detent provisions in the system to locate the cartridge in an operative position in the system. 
     
     
       45. For use in a printer or other system forming images on cards or other such media, a replaceable media cleaning cartridge adapted to be received in the system and configured to support one or more cleaning components structured and arranged to engage and present to a moving media unit being cleaned a changing tacky contact surface area, including alignment members on opposed sides of the cartridge configured to be received in cooperating alignment guides in the system. 
     
     
       46. The media cleaning cartridge of  claim 45  wherein said alignment members are structured to be received in slots in the system. 
     
     
       47. For use in a printer or other system forming images on cards or other such media, a replaceable media cleaning cartridge adapted to be received in the system and configured to support one or more cleaning components structured and arranged to engage and present to a moving media unit being cleaned a changing tacky contact surface area, wherein said cartridge has a pivoted lid. 
     
     
       48. The media cleaning cartridge of  claim 47  including a resilient member mounted to bias said lid to a closed position. 
     
     
       49. The media cleaning cartridge of  claim 48  wherein one of said one or more cleaning components comprises a roller having an axle, and wherein said lid engages said axle to transfer said bias to said one of said one or more cleaning components. 
     
     
       50. A printer or other system forming images on cards or other such media, comprising:
   a. a chassis;        b. a media feed supported by said chassis; and        c. a replaceable media cleaning cartridge supported by said chassis adjacent the media feed, said cartridge comprising:      i. a first cleaning component structured and arranged to engage and present to a moving media unit being cleaned, a changing first contact surface area; and        ii. a second cleaning component structured and arranged to engage and present to said first cleaning component, a changing second contact surface area;        iii. the tackiness of said second contact surface area being greater than the tackiness of said first contact surface area which in turn is greater than the tackiness of a media unit such that said first contact surface area adhesively attracts particles from a media unit being cleaned and said second contact surface area adhesively attracts particles from said first surface area.       
     
     
       51. The system of  claim 50  wherein said first cleaning component comprises a roller. 
     
     
       52. The system of  claim 50  wherein said second cleaning component comprises a roller. 
     
     
       53. The system of  claim 50  wherein said second cleaning component is adapted for quick removal from said cartridge. 
     
     
       54. The system of  claim 50  wherein said second contact surface is replaceable. 
     
     
       55. The system of  claim 50  wherein said cartridge has a frame which supports said first and second cleaning components, said frame being configured such that at least said second cleaning component is supported in slots in said frame. 
     
     
       56. The system of  claim 50  wherein said cartridge includes a resilient member for biasing said second cleaning component into engagement with said first cleaning component. 
     
     
       57. The system of  claim 50  adapted to mount said second cleaning component above said first cleaning component such that gravity forces said first cleaning component against said media unit. 
     
     
       58. The system of  claim 50  including mounting structures configured for quick installation in the system. 
     
     
       59. The system of  claim 58  wherein said mounting structures include a latch. 
     
     
       60. The system of  claim 50  wherein the total second contact surface area on said second cleaning component is greater than the total first contact surface area on said first cleaning component. 
     
     
       61. The system of  claim 50  wherein said second cleaning component comprises a disposable tube having said second contact surface area and a core upon which said tube is mounted. 
     
     
       62. A printer or other system forming images on cards or other such media, comprising:
   a. a chassis;        b. a media feed supported by said chassis; and        c. a replaceable media cleaning cartridge supported by said chassis and adapted to be received in the system, the cartridge being configured to support one or more cleaning components structured to engage and present to a moving media unit being cleaned a changing tacky contact surface area, wherein said cartridge comprises:        d. a first cleaning component structured and arranged to engage and present to the moving media unit being cleaned, a changing first contact surface area; and        e. a second cleaning component structured and arranged to engage and present to said first cleaning component, a changing second contact surface area.     
     
     
       63. The system of  claim 62  wherein said cartridge is bidirectionally effective to receive a media unit on either of opposed first and second faces thereof. 
     
     
       64. The system of  claim 62  wherein said cartridge and said chassis have mounting structures adapted for quick installation of the cartridge in the system. 
     
     
       65. The system of  claim 64  wherein said mounting structures include a latch. 
     
     
       66. The system of  claim 62  wherein said cartridge includes at least one upstanding tab adapted to be manually grasped for installation of the cartridge into the system. 
     
     
       67. The system of  claim 66  wherein said cartridge includes an upstanding arm on each side of the cartridge. 
     
     
       68. The system of  claim 67  wherein said arm is resilient and adapted to be flexed to facilitate installation of the cartridge in the system. 
     
     
       69. The system of  claim 68  wherein said arms have detent provisions configured to cooperate with detent provisions in the chassis to position the cartridge in the system. 
     
     
       70. The system of  claim 62  including alignment members on opposed sides of the cartridge configured to be received in cooperating alignment guides in the chassis. 
     
     
       71. The system of  claim 70  wherein said alignment guides comprise slots. 
     
     
       72. The system of  claim 62  wherein said cartridge has a pivoted lid. 
     
     
       73. The system of  claim 72  wherein said cartridge includes a spring mounted to bias said lid to a closed position. 
     
     
       74. The system of  claim 73  wherein second cleaning component comprises a roller having an axle, and wherein said lid engages said axle to bias said second cleaning component against said first cleaning component. 
     
     
       75. The system of  claim 62  wherein said cartridge has a frame configured to define a media access opening on a first face of said cartridge. 
     
     
       76. The system of  claim 75  wherein said opening comprises a window with at least one beveled edge. 
     
     
       77. The system of  claim 75  wherein said cartridge is adapted to receive a media unit to be cleaned through said opening along an input path having a predetermined acute entry angle relative to horizontal. 
     
     
       78. The system of  claim 77  wherein said acute entry angle is about  15  degrees. 
     
     
       79. The system of  claim 78 , wherein said cartridge defines a media exit opening on a second face of said cartridge having an exit angle that is substantially horizontal. 
     
     
       80. The system of  claim 77  wherein said cartridge is adapted to eject a media unit which has been cleaned through said opening along an output path having a predetermined exit angle which is different than said entry angle relative to horizontal. 
     
     
       81. A media cleaning method, comprising:
   a. providing a printer or other media image - forming system;        b. providing a cleaning cartridge for said system, comprising:      i. a first cleaning component structured and arranged to engage and present to a moving media unit being cleaned a changing first contact surface area; and        ii. a second cleaning component structured and arranged to engage and present to said first cleaning component a changing second contact surface area;        iii. the tackiness of said second contact surface area being greater than the tackiness of said first contact surface area which in turn is greater than the tackiness of a media unit such that said first contact surface area adhesively attracts particles from a media unit being cleaned and said second contact surface area adhesively attracts particles from said first surface area;        iv. installing the cartridge in the system;          c. moving media through said system until the effectiveness of said second cleaning component in cleaning media has diminished;        d. withdrawing said cartridge from said system; and        e. replacing said second cleaning component.     
     
     
       82. A printer or other system forming images on cards or other such media adapted for use with a replaceable media cleaning cartridge, the system comprising:
   a. a media feed; and        b. a system chassis mounting the media feed and configured to receive and support a cartridge adjacent the feed such that a media unit being cleaned is transported by the feed in contact with the cartridge,        c. the system chassis having spaced guides structured to guide and at least assist in retaining the cartridge on the system chassis,        wherein said guides comprise slots.     
     
     
       83. The system of  claim 82 , wherein said guides are located on opposed walls of the system chassis. 
     
     
       84. The system of  claim 83  wherein said guides comprise channels adapted to engage opposed sides of a cartridge and guide it into an operative position within the system. 
     
     
       85. The system of  claim 84  wherein said channels are formed by projections from said opposed walls in said system chassis. 
     
     
       86. The system of  claim 82  wherein said system chassis has at least one detent provision adapted to cause said cartridge to snap into said system chassis when the cartridge is located in its operative position. 
     
     
       87. A printer or other system forming images on cards or other such media having a snap- in media cleaning cartridge, comprising:      a. a media cleaning cartridge configured to support one or more cleaning components and structured to engage and present to a moving media unit being cleaned a changing tacky contact surface area;        b. a media feed; and        c. a system chassis mounting the media feed and configured to receive and support the cartridge in an operative position adjacent the feed;        d. the system chassis and the cartridge having cooperative cartridge retention provisions structured to cause said cartridge to snap into said operative position, wherein said cartridge has flexible arms on opposed sides which cooperate with channels or slots on opposed walls of said system chassis during installation of said cartridge in said system chassis.     
     
     
       88. The system of  claim 87  wherein said cartridge arms and said chassis channels or slots include a detent arrangement. 
     
     
       89. The system of  claim 87  wherein said cartridge retention provisions include a detent. 
     
     
       90. The system of  claim 87  wherein said cartridge retention provisions include one or more resilient members constituting part of the cartridge, and wherein said one or more resilient members are manually stressed during installation of the cartridge to contribute to the snap- in effect.   
     
     
       91. For use with a media cleaning cartridge for a printer or other system forming images on cards or other such media, the media cleaning cartridge having a first cleaning component structured to engage and present to a moving media unit being cleaned a changing first contact surface area, a second cleaning component comprising:
   a. a changing second contact surface area configured and arranged to engage said first contact surface area of said first cleaning component,        b. the tackiness of said second contact surface area being greater than the tackiness of said first contact surface area which in turn is greater than the tackiness of a media unit being cleaned such that said first contact surface area adhesively attracts particles from said media unit and said second contact surface area adhesively attracts particles from said first surface area,        c. said second cleaning component being structured to be readily removed from said cartridge and discarded when the tackiness of said second contact surface area is no longer capable of efficiently adhesively attracting particles from said first contact surface area on said first cleaning component.     
     
     
       92. The second cleaning component of  claim 91  comprising a tube having removable end caps. 
     
     
       93. The second cleaning component of  claim 92  wherein said end caps have journals adapted to be received in open- ended slots in a cartridge frame.   
     
     
       94. The second cleaning component of  claim 91  configured as a roller. 
     
     
       95. A printer or other system forming images on cards or other such media, comprising:
   a. a chassis;        b. a media feed supported by said chassis; and        c. a media cleaner supported by said chassis and positioned adjacent the media feed, said media cleaner comprising:      i. a first cleaning component structured and arranged to engage and present to a moving media unit being cleaned a changing first contact surface area; and        ii. a second cleaning component supported above said first cleaning component and resting under the force of gravity on said first cleaning component, said second cleaning component being structured and arranged to engage and present to said first cleaning component a changing second contact surface area;        iii. the tackiness of said second contact surface area being greater than the tackiness of said first contact surface area which in turn is greater than the tackiness of a media unit such that said first contact surface area adhesively attracts particles from a media unit being cleaned and said second contact surface area adhesively attracts particles from said first surface area.       
     
     
       96. The system of  claim 95  wherein said first cleaning component comprises a roller. 
     
     
       97. The system of  claim 95  wherein said second cleaning component comprises a roller. 
     
     
       98. The system of  claim 95  wherein said second cleaning component is structured for quick removal from the system. 
     
     
       99. The system of  claim 95  wherein said second cleaning component is adapted to be disposable. 
     
     
       100. The system of  claim 95  wherein said media cleaner has a frame which supports said first and second cleaning components, said frame being configured such that at least said second cleaning component is held in slots in said frame. 
     
     
       101. The system of  claim 95  including a resilient member configured to bias said second cleaning component against said first cleaning component. 
     
     
       102. The media cleaner of  claim 95  wherein the total second contact surface area on said second cleaning component is greater than the total first contact surface area on said first cleaning component. 
     
     
       103. The system of  claim 95  wherein said second cleaning component comprises a disposable tube having externally said second surface area and a core upon which said tube is mounted. 
     
     
       104. The system of  claim 103  wherein said core comprising a pair of end caps which fit into the ends of the tube.