| abstract |
Ions of determinable polarity and concentration are applied to a material or member, such as a nonconductive moving web, to impart a resultant or residual charge, in a preferred embodiment a neutral charge. The resultant charge is continuously monitored and fed back to a power source and controller, which invert the polarity of the monitored charge and apply it to an ion emitter, preferably comprising a radioactive isotope. To obtain a predominance of selected ions for application to the member, an electrostatic field is created in the immediate vicinity of the ion emitter and the member. One pole of this field is within the emitter and the sign of this pole is made to correspond to that of the selected ions. Ions of the opposite, unselected, polarity are attracted to this pole and it repels the selected ions. The opposite pole of the field is so disposed in relation to the emitter and the member that the selected ions seeking this pole are directed into contact with and are captured by the member. |