Abstract: An apparatus for advancing, guiding, and processing flexible sheet members through a processing area in which fluid contacts the flexible sheet members is provided. The apparatus includes a roller conveyor which is adapted to convey the flexible sheet members to a processing module located along the roller conveyor. The processing module includes an entrance, an exit and a wet area in which fluid is provided to at least one surface of the flexible sheet members. At least one pair of squeegee rollers are located at one of the entrance and the exit to the wet area of the processing module to inhibit fluid leakage from the wet area. One squeegee roller is located on each side of the conveyor such that the flexible sheet members pass between a nip of the squeegee rollers. Each squeegee roller includes a rigid, hollow, outer tube and a light weight, open core located within the outer tube to provide a light weight squeegee roller.

Abstract: Apparatus for advancing and processing a flexible panel in a feed path includes a platen located proximate the feed path, the platen defining a platen surface extending in close proximity parallel to the feed path, a linear array of closely spaced fluid ports formed in the platen for receiving a pressurized fluid and directing the fluid toward the feed path in a transversely elongated fluid path, a transversely elongate chamber fixedly connected to the platen for defining a fluid chamber, the fluid ports being fluid-connected to the chamber; first, second, third and fourth roller shafts rotatably supported transversely to the feed path and having a spaced plurality of rollers thereon for contacting the panel, the first and third roller shafts contacting the panel upstream of the fluid port, the second and fourth roller shafts contacting the panel downstream of the fluid port, the rollers of the third and fourth roller shaft being located in offset overlapping relation to the rollers of the first and second ro

Abstract: An apparatus for processing a flexible panel along a feed path is disclosed. In detail, the apparatus includes a platen member for receiving pressurized fluid and directing same through a plurality of jets in a path transverse to the feed path as the panel travels thereunder. First and second roller shafts having rollers thereon, in a spaced relationship, are located upstream and downstream of the platen member, respectively. The roller shafts are coupled to a drive system for rotating the rollers such that the panel is advanced along the feed path from the upstream sisde, under the platen, to the downstream side. The platen member includes first wing portions extending between adjacent rollers of the first roller shaft for stripping the panel from the rollers of the first roller shaft and providing support for the panel as it passes under the platen member and into contact with the pressurized fluid.