Flexible Web Or Strand Work Patents (Class 118/325)
  • Patent number: 7018473
    Abstract: A dispenser to dispense towels selectively treated with a fluid, includes a compartment having an open upper end and containing at least one dispensable towel therein. A removable cover is disposable on the compartment to form an enclosure with the compartment. A towel dispensing conduit extends through the cover to a top opening of the cover, the conduit defining a path through which the dispensable towel is extracted from the compartment and dispensed from the top opening of the cover. A fluid application assembly is associated with the removable cover. The fluid application assembly includes a fluid reservoir, oriented over the compartment when the cover is disposed on the compartment, and being configured to receive and store the fluid therein; and a fluid applicator, in fluid communication with the reservoir and being selectively operable by a user to selectively apply the fluid to the dispensable towel as the towel is dispensed from the dispenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Inventor: William S. Shadrach, III
  • Patent number: 7014712
    Abstract: An adhesive layer is provided on a base material in the shape of an elongated film, powder particles are adhered thereon, and then other powder particles and media vibrated in a container are contacted with this adhesive layer. Next, the powder particles are embedded on the surface of the adhesive layer as a monolayer in which part of the powder particle protrudes, so as to form a laminate, and excess powder particles adhered to the laminate are removed. Therefore, a monolayer powder film, consisting of many powder particles embedded as a monolayer so that part thereof protrudes, is produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: Tomoegawa Paper Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akihiro Sano, Kensaku Higashi
  • Patent number: 6997990
    Abstract: Device and method for fabricating a display panel having ink-jet printing applied thereto, the device including a stage for supporting a substrate, a base having one or more than one rail for transporting the stage, and one or more than one ink-jet head rotatable by an angel for spraying a pattern forming solution to the substrate, thereby reducing a fabrication cost and simplifying a fabrication process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Bum Jin Bae, Eun A Moon, Young Jae Cho, Ji Hoon Sohn, Byung Gil Ryu
  • Patent number: 6982003
    Abstract: An apparatus for curtain coating, particularly for high-speed curtain coating of a continuous paper web substrate (12) is provided with a hopper means (14) providing one or more liquid coating materials in the form of a free-falling curtain (16) impinging the substrate (12) at a dynamic wetting line. Edge guide elements (22, 24) are arranged on both sides supplying a wetting or auxiliary liquid. Each guide element (22, 24) has at least one contact area of its surface directed towards said curtain, which contact area has a multiplicity of grooves (32) and ribs (34) extending along the length of said edge guide elements (22, 24).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2006
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Markus Gueggi, Sedat Varli
  • Patent number: 6969412
    Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus for making an abrasive product comprising providing a substantially horizontally deployed flexible backing having a first surface bearing an at least partially cured primer coating and an opposite second surface; providing a dry flowable particle mixture comprising abrasive particles and particulate curable binder material; depositing a plurality of temporary shaped structures comprised of said particle mixture on the at least partially cured primer coating of the first surface of the backing; softening said particulate curable binder material to provide adhesion between adjacent abrasive particles; and curing the softened particulate curable binder material to convert said temporary shaped structures into permanent shaped structures and cure the at least partially cured primer coating on the first surface of the backing. The invention also provides an abrasive product made by the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Dennis G. Welygan, Jason A. Chesley, Louis S. Moren
  • Patent number: 6960260
    Abstract: An electric wire 1 is moved in a moving direction at a desired speed. An insulating layer of varnish is formed on the outer surface of the electric wire 1 by a device for applying the varnish. The device includes a rough-like container 2 and dropping means 8. The rough-like container 2 is located below the electric wire 1 in the moving direction. The dropping means 8 is located for the electric wire above the container. A desired quantity of varnish is dropped from the dropping means 8 toward the outer surface of the electric wire 1 through a flow rate adjusting portion. The flow rate of the varnish is adjusted by the flow rate adjusting portion 9.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2005
    Assignee: Goto Electronic Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshihide Goto
  • Patent number: 6955722
    Abstract: An apparatus for applying a material to a substrate includes a housing having an inlet passage, a plurality of exit openings, and a recess in fluid communication between the inlet passage and the exit openings. A valve element is disposed in the recess wherein the valve element includes a first portion and a second portion axially displaced from the first portion. Means are provided for moving the valve element in the recess such that the first portion provides continuous fluid communication between the inlet passage and one of the exit openings during movement of the valve element and the second portion provides intermittent fluid communication between the inlet passage and another of the exit openings during movement of the valve element. A method of applying a material to a substrate is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2005
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson Home Storage, Inc.
    Inventor: Bryan L. Ackerman
  • Patent number: 6936138
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for incorporating feature substances into a still moist but already sufficiently consolidated paper web provides for directing a feature substance suspension onto the surface of the paper web as a laminar jet with low jet pressure. A special pressure control circuit ensures that the jet pressure is always constant regardless of the number of parallel feature substance suspension jets directed onto the paper web. This makes it possible to incorporate a great variety of line codings in paper under the same process conditions without any visible changes in fiber structure occurring in the paper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: Giesecke & Devrient GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Attenberger, Gerhard Stenzel, Ralf Soltau, Manfred Hutmann
  • Patent number: 6926772
    Abstract: Continuous void-free uniform coatings are formed on filamentous articles by applying a voided or otherwise substantially uneven coating to at least some of the exposed portion of a filamentous article or to a rotating substrate. The filamentous article or substrate is passed through an improvement station containing a plurality of coating-wetted rolls that contact and re-contact the wet coating at different positions along the length of the filamentous article or rotating substrate, wherein the periods of the rolls improve the uniformity of the coating. For coatings applied to a rotating substrate, the uniform wet coating is transferred to the filamentous article. The final coating can be very thin, very uniform and completely or substantially void-free. The coating improvement can be quickly and easily obtained using low cost equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: William K. Leonard
  • Patent number: 6923866
    Abstract: An apparatus for depositing droplets on a substrate is disclosed. The apparatus includes a support for the substrate, a droplet ejection assembly which includes a pumping chamber, a controller and a source of static pressure to maintain the total pressure in the pumping chamber above a threshold pressure level to avoid rectified diffusion type bubble growth in the pumping chamber. The droplet ejection assembly is positioned over the support for depositing the droplets on the substrate and includes, in addition to a pumping chamber, a displacement member and an orifice that ejects the droplets. The controller provides signals to the displacement member to eject drops.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2005
    Assignee: Spectra, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul A. Hoisington, Melvin L. Biggs, Steven H. Barss
  • Patent number: 6916379
    Abstract: The present invention is a method and device, which is suitable for use in an operating theater just prior to implantation, for selectively applying a medical coating to an implantable medical device, for example a stent. Disclosed is a device for use with a stent deployed on a catheter balloon. The device is configured to apply a medical coating of a desired thickness to the surface of a stent only. This is done by use of a drop-on-demand ink-jet printing system in association with an optical scanning device. The device is further configured so as to, if necessary, apply a plurality of layered coats, each layered coat being of a different coating material, and if appropriate, different thickness. The section of the housing in which the stent is held during the coating procedure is detachable from the housing base. The detachable housing section may be easily cleaned and re-sterilized or simply disposed of.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: LabCoat, Ltd.
    Inventors: Avraham Shekalim, Ascher Shmulewitz
  • Patent number: 6911232
    Abstract: A liquid dispensing module and nozzle or die tip for discharging at least one liquid filament. The nozzle includes a strand guide for guiding a substrate past the nozzle and a frustoconical protrusion disposed on a surface of the nozzle adjacent the notch. A liquid discharge passage extends along an axis through the frustoconical protrusion and forms an acute angle with a machine direction corresponding to movement of the strand past the nozzle. Four air discharge passages are positioned at the base of the frustoconical protrusion. Each of the air discharge passages is angled in a compound manner generally toward the liquid discharge passage and offset from the axis of the liquid discharge passage to create the controlled pattern of liquid material on the strand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2005
    Assignee: Nordson Corporation
    Inventors: Patrick L. Crane, Michael W. Harris, Joel E. Saine
  • Patent number: 6887312
    Abstract: An apparatus for applying liquid or pasty application medium, in particular aqueous pigment suspension, to one or both sides of a moving material web, especially to a paper or board web, during its production and/or finishing. The invention provides for the vacuum generating device to be assigned to that side of the material web which faces away from the application medium curtain, at least to the region of incidence of the application medium on the material web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Assignee: Voith Paper Patent GmbH
    Inventor: Benjamin Méndez-Gallon
  • Patent number: 6866718
    Abstract: A sealant applicator 1 is provided for applying a waterproofing treatment to a wire assembly, a plurality of wires are aligned in a line according to their diameters in a holder 4 provided on a wire laying board 3. Positioning members 21 of a main unit 2 are fitted to the holder 4. A pair of nozzles 22 are opposed to each other at the opposite sides of the aligned wires, and is caused to discharge a specified amount of the sealant by a feeding mechanism 26 while being moved in a wire alignment direction by a moving mechanism 27 and being brought closer to the wires by a relatively moving mechanism 25. This enables a variation of clearances between the wires and the nozzles to be reduced and the sealant to be uniformly applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hisato Chujo, Koshi Abe, Hirotake Baba, Kenichi Uchiyama
  • Patent number: 6866209
    Abstract: An application head (11) for the contact-free application of liquid media such as liquefied thermoplastic plastics or melted hot-melt adhesives to a length of material (22) which is movable relative to the application head. The head includes a housing (12), a cylinder chamber (20) which is provided in the housing and in which a cylinder slide (13) is supported so as to be rotatingly driveable, and a nozzle device (18) for discharging liquid medium. The nozzle device (18) is controllable by the cylinder slide (13) and extends transversely to the direction of movement of the length of material. The cylinder slide (13), in its cylindrical surface, includes first surface grooves (27) which are supplied with liquid medium and which, as a function of the rotational position, are able to communicate with the nozzle device (18).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Inventor: Wolfgang Puffe
  • Patent number: 6846362
    Abstract: A corrosion-resistant coated strap is formed from an elongated metal strap base element having a width and a thickness and defining first and second sides and a pair of edge regions. A coating is applied and cured onto the base element. The coating has a substantially consistent thickness at the first and second sides and at about the edge regions. A method for making the coated strap includes providing a metal strap and conveying the strap through a coating apparatus. A powder is electrostatically applied on the first side of the strap, which covers the first side and the opposing edges. The powder is applied on the second side of the strap, covering the second side and the opposing edges. The powder is melted to form a flowable material and is cured on the strap. The coating method is carried out in an in-line strap manufacturing process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2005
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works, Inc.
    Inventors: Dave Fredericksen, Al Suopys, Jim Nelson, Max Zimbicki, Christopher Merritt, Dennis Rocheleau
  • Patent number: 6827781
    Abstract: A device for moistening a material web moved in the transport direction, is preferably used for re-moistening a paper or textile web dried after printing by means of spray device for spraying a water fog onto the material web under the influence of an electrostatic field produced by a device for electrostatic charging. The device includes a reversing roller provided in the transport direction upstream of the spray device for deflecting the material web. The reversing roller has associated with it a device designed as a corona-charging electrode for electrostatic charging and the spray device has two water spray heads located on both sides of the material web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: Eltex-Elektrostatik GmbH
    Inventors: Ernst August Hahne, Franz Knopf
  • Patent number: 6827777
    Abstract: An application head (11) for application of hot-melt adhesive onto a width of material (22) has a housing (12) with a control slide chamber (20). A cylinder control slide (13) is supported and is rotatably drivable in the housing. At least one supply aperture introduces an adhesive into the control slide chamber (20). A slotted nozzle (18) releases the adhesive. The slotted nozzle is controllable by the cylinder control slide (13). The nozzle extends transversely to the direction of movement of the width of material (22). The cylinder control slide (13) has a cylindrical surface which is able to seal the slotted nozzle (18) from the inside. The control slide (13) also has surface grooves (17) in the cylindrical surface. The grooves, as a function of their rotational positions, are able to communicate with the slotted nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Inventor: Wolfgang Puffe
  • Publication number: 20040234697
    Abstract: A coating device for coating a coating solution on a web has a roller and a weir which partially constructs a solution store space. In the solution store space the coating solution is stored. When the web sequentially moves in a direction, the roller rotates and the solution in the solution store space is supplied on the web. Thereby a part of the solution overflows the weir such that another part of the solution may remain on the web to have a constant width in a widthwise direction of the web. A drying device has plural drying zones in which the web is fed after the coating of the coating solution. One of the drying zones is neighbored to the coating device. A top of the plural drying zones is constructed of a blow regulation member so as to confront to the solution on the web. The blow regulation member has holes through which is exhausted a gas evaporated from the layer of the solution on the web.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2004
    Publication date: November 25, 2004
    Applicant: FUJI PHOTO FILM CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Seiji Ishizuka, Shinji Hikita, Tomonari Ogawa, Toshio Shibata, Takashi Nawano, Hidetomo Itoh
  • Publication number: 20040173147
    Abstract: A method of controlling a dissolution rate of a bioactive agent includes applying a first drop of solution carrying the bioactive agent at a first selected location on a delivery substrate, and positioning a second drop of solution carrying the bioactive agent at a second selected location on the delivery substrate, wherein the location of the first drop and the location of the second drop are selected based on a target dissolution rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2004
    Publication date: September 9, 2004
    Inventors: Iddys D. Figueroa, Vanessa I. Chinea, Orlando Ruiz, Douglas A. Sexton, Winthrop D. Childers, James W. Ayres, John Stephen Dunfield
  • Publication number: 20040173146
    Abstract: A method of controlling a dissolution rate of a bioactive agent includes selecting a desired dot topography corresponding to a target dissolution rate and applying a bioactive agent to a delivery substrate to form dots having the desired dot topography on the delivery substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2004
    Publication date: September 9, 2004
    Inventors: Iddys D. Figueroa, Vanessa I. Chinea, Orlando Ruiz, Douglas A. Sexton, Winthrop D. Childers, James W. Ayres, John Stephen Dunfield
  • Publication number: 20040163586
    Abstract: A coating such as liquid milk chocolate is applied to articles such as confectionery bars. The bars are conveyed by conveyor under a curtain of liquid chocolate issuing through an outlet slot in a trough. A layer of air is caused to flow through the outlet slot in the trough so as to modify the flow characteristics of the curtain. The layer of air permits a curtain of even thickness to be achieved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2004
    Publication date: August 26, 2004
    Applicant: CADBURY SCHWEPPES PLC
    Inventors: Nigel Hugh Sanders, Anthony Gregory Smith, David Michael Thomas
  • Publication number: 20040154534
    Abstract: A fluid ejection cartridge for dispensing a bioactive fluid including a first reservoir containing the bioactive fluid and a first fluid ejector fluidically coupled to the first reservoir. The first fluid ejector ejects at least a drop of the bioactive fluid onto the ingestible sheet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2004
    Publication date: August 12, 2004
    Inventors: Brian Craig Lee, Steven W. Steinfield, Winthrop D. Childers, Mark A. Van Veen, Mohammad M. Samii
  • Patent number: 6758906
    Abstract: Apparatus for the application of adhesive to one side of a running web of tipping paper for use in filter cigarete makers has a single source of adhesive or two or more sources containing identical or different adhesives, and one or more conduits leading from the source(s) to one or more nozzles which applies or apply one or more films of a single adhesive or of different adhesives to selected portions of the one side of the web. The rate of admission of adhesive(s) to the nozzle(s), including interruption and restarting of admission of adhesive(s), is regulated by one or more valves each having a body receiving a rotary valving element provided with one or more peripheral projections and/or recesses serving to regulate the rate of flow of adhesive toward the single nozzle or the respective nozzles. The rotary elements of two or more valves can constitute disc-shaped sections of a single rotor confined in a valve body common to all valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Assignee: Hauni Mashinenbau AG
    Inventors: Berthold Maiwald, Torsten Mörke, Karl-Heinz Pawelko
  • Patent number: 6746536
    Abstract: The invention relates to a liquid coating device (10) comprising a rotor housing (12) accommodating one or more spray rotors (22). The spray rotors (22) comprise a drive device (46), a drive shaft (42), a bearing element (50) and a spray disk (38). The spray disk (38) is arranged above the bearing element (50). According to the invention, maintenance and lifespan of the liquid coating device (10) are improved significantly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: Weitmann & Konrad GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Günter Hess
  • Publication number: 20040083950
    Abstract: Method and assembly for forming a paper or board web and a product made using the method. According to the method, the web (11) is made from fibers and then the web (11) is treated with pigment particles. The web is treated with microscopic pigment particles whose average size is so small as to permit the particles to adhere to each other by van der Waals forces. The particles are transferred to the web and adhered thereto advantageously using an ion-blast technique.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2003
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Applicant: Valmet Corporation
    Inventors: Vilho Nissinen, Timo Nyberg, Pasi Rajala, Lars Gronroos, Pentti Virtanen, Veli Kasma, Hannu Niemela
  • Publication number: 20040079283
    Abstract: In an apparatus in which when a photothermographic material is produced, a photosensitive layer liquid coating composition including a silver component and a non-photosensitive protective layer liquid coating composition are applied onto a web employing a slot coater, a coating apparatus for producing a photothermographic material wherein the slot coater is constituted so that the center-line surface roughness Ra of the lip plane, which comes into contact with at least the photosensitive layer liquid coating composition, is equal to or less than 0.5 &mgr;m.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2003
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Inventor: Keiichi Aoki
  • Patent number: 6726770
    Abstract: An application device for applying an application medium to at least one side of a moving product web, the web having a running direction. The application device includes at least one roll supporting the web, at least one pocket between at least one roll and at least one side, at least one pocket having a size and a shape, at least one feed apparatus including a metering element, the metering element having at least one discharge nozzle projecting into at least one pocket and at least one application chamber designed into the metering element, at least one discharge nozzle discharging the application medium onto the web in a first direction and proximate to at least one application chamber, the first direction approximately orthogonal to the running direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Assignee: Voith Paper Patent GmbH
    Inventor: Kurt Eichinger
  • Patent number: 6702894
    Abstract: A fluid ejection cartridge for dispensing a bioactive fluid including a first reservoir containing the bioactive fluid and a first fluid ejector fluidically coupled to the first reservoir. The first fluid ejector ejects at least a drop of the bioactive fluid onto the ingestible sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Brian Craig Lee, Steven W. Steinfield, Winthrop D. Childers, Mark A. Van Veen, Mohammad M Samii
  • Patent number: 6689214
    Abstract: An apparatus for applying fluid to a substrate which is movable relative to the apparatus. A slotted nozzle assembly of the apparatus communicates with a fluid supply and includes an elongated slot with an outlet aperture. The length of the slot may be varied using a stopper which can move in the slot and seal it off laterally. In another aspect, the entire slot can be shifted and fixed in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the slot using a guiding and adjusting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: Nordson Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas Burmester, Jorg Steffens
  • Publication number: 20040020425
    Abstract: The invention relates to a liquid coating device (10) comprising a rotor housing (12) accommodating one or more spray rotors (22). The spray rotors (22) comprise a drive device (46), a drive shaft (42), a bearing element (50) and a spray disk (38). The spray disk (38) is arranged above the bearing element (50). According to the invention, maintenance and lifespan of the liquid coating device (10) are improved significantly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2003
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Inventor: Gunter Hess
  • Publication number: 20040013814
    Abstract: A composition for applying a coating on a support at low temperature from a dispersion of at least a component of the coating to be deposited in the composition. The composition includes at least a strong and heavy solvent with a boiling point higher than 150° C. approximately, and a weak solvent with a boiling point less than 100° C. approximately. The solvents forming the composition must constitute a mixture that evaporates at a temperature less than 100° C. The composition is particularly useful for forming electrodes or electrolyte in lithium-ion batteries. The method and the device used for forming the coating use a dispersion spreader and an infrared lamp.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2003
    Publication date: January 22, 2004
    Inventors: Abdelbast Guerfi, Fernand Brochu, Monique Masse, Karim Zaghib
  • Patent number: 6676998
    Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus and method which can be utilized to apply a thin layer of viscous coating material to an elongated continuously moving filament whereby the filament can be cabled, coated, and spooled in a continuous operation. The apparatus has a coating material applicator to deliver a flowable material, an air applicator to supply compressed air, a mixer to mix the flowable material and compressed air, a delivery means to spray the mixed flowable material and air onto a filament, and a coating chamber through which the filament passes. The chamber has a material collector and a coating die, and a sealing attachment with an exit hole is located beneath the coating chamber. The filament is sprayed before it travels into the material collector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventors: Yen-How Huang, Patrick Michael Orr
  • Patent number: 6676754
    Abstract: Methods of applying a polymer coating to a substrate are disclosed. By disrupting a bank of polymer precursor, a smooth coating of fast setting polymer can be applied to a substrate. Apparatus for applying a polymer coating is also disclosed. In one embodiment, an oscillating dispenser is used to apply polymer precursor onto to a dispersive surface. The polymer precursor flows down the surface and is transferred to a moving web. Flowing solvent downwardly through the dispenser can provide efficient cleaning without the need for disassembly or production delays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Robert J. Fleming, Michael E. Mehsikomer, David J. Schreifels, Steven H. Gotz
  • Publication number: 20040001921
    Abstract: The invention is generally directed to techniques for reducing premature drying of solvent-based coatings, including premature drying at sites on the apparatus that applies the coatings. By introduction of solvent vapor proximate to the coating apparatus, and by passively bringing the solvent vapor to the site, the risk of premature drying is reduced. In the presence of the solvent vapor, solvent in the coating fluid tends not to evaporate quickly. The solvent vapor may be introduced by any of a variety of solvent vapor emission devices, and may be brought to the site passively by, for example, increasing the concentration of solvent vapor in a boundary layer that moves with the substrate being coated, diffusion, or natural convection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2002
    Publication date: January 1, 2004
    Applicant: Imation Corp.
    Inventors: William Blake Kolb, Gary L. Huelsman, Thomas M. Milbourn, Timothy J. Edman, Joseph F. Fuller
  • Patent number: 6666165
    Abstract: A curtain coating apparatus for applying a coating solution to a continuously moving web, which comprises an air jet injector for injecting air in the upstream direction of a web, provided at a position upstream of a contact point of a curtain film with the web and a shielding member shutting off entrained air generated by movement of the web, provided between the contact point and the air jet injector, thereby diminishing an influence of turbulent air flow and preventing the curtain film from suction toward the air jet injector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2003
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Paper Mills Limited
    Inventors: Masato Shiraishi, Kazutoshi Someya
  • Publication number: 20030232127
    Abstract: Provided are an electrode manufacturing apparatus and a method of manufacturing an electrode in which an electrode capable of preventing the occurrence of an internal short circuit is manufactured. A current collector is passed through a coating position in a downward direction by a reference roll. Thereby, just after coating of a mixture is interrupted, a built-up mixture between the current collector and a coating outlet is pulled in a downward direction by the current collector, so the position of the built-up mixture is lower than the position of the coating outlet. Therefore, the adhesion of the mixture to the coating outlet can be prevented, and as a result, a non-forming region where no mixture is formed can be prevented from being coated with the mixture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2003
    Publication date: December 18, 2003
    Inventors: Masayuki Shida, Sachio Akahira, Osamu Tahara, Takanobu Yoshino
  • Publication number: 20030224118
    Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus and method which can be utilized to apply a thin layer of viscous coating material to an elongated continuously moving filament whereby the filament can be cabled, coated, and spooled in a continuous operation. The apparatus has a coating material applicator to deliver a flowable material, an air applicator to supply compressed air, a mixer to mix the flowable material and compressed air, a delivery means to spray the mixed flowable material and air onto a filament, and a coating chamber through which the filament passes. The chamber has a material collector and a coating die, and a sealing attachment with an exit hole is located beneath the coating chamber. The filament is sprayed before it travels into the material collector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2002
    Publication date: December 4, 2003
    Inventors: Yen-How Huang, Patrick Michael Orr
  • Publication number: 20030219538
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for coating a moving paper web (2), in which method the web (2) to be coated is passed to a coater station and the coating is applied to at least one surface of the moving web (2) by means of spraying nozzles (1) disposed in the interior of an enclosing hood (9). The web (2) is supported noncontactingly by means of air jets directed toward at least one side of the web (2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2003
    Publication date: November 27, 2003
    Applicant: Metso Paper, Inc.
    Inventors: Mika Vahakuopus, Vilho Nissinen, Seppo Luomi
  • Patent number: 6651924
    Abstract: A method of making wet rolls includes providing a web of material, applying a wetting solution to the web to produce a wet web, and winding the wet web into a roll. The wetting solution may include an inorganic salt and at least one preservative.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian James Gingras, Daniel Hoo, Paul Kerner Pauling, Clayton Taylor Gann, Robert Eugene Krautkramer, James Monroe Perkins, Anthony Mark Gambaro, Robert Alvin Barkhau, Andrew Peter Doyle, James Leo Baggot, Joe Cwiakala, Valter Di Nardo, Massimiliano Adalberti, Stefano Petri, Giulio Betti
  • Patent number: 6635111
    Abstract: Known devices for contactlessly guiding or treating continuous lines of material (1) have one chamber (2). A supply device (3) for a gaseous fluid is connected to said chamber (2), which has a gas-permeable wall (4). The outer surface (5) of said wall (4) is embodied as a guide surface for the line (1). According to the invention, the gas-permeable wall (4) is produced from a porous, metal-containing material with open pores which have an average diameter of less than 500 &mgr;m, preferably less than 100 &mgr;m, especially less than 20 &mgr;m. The porous material used for the guiding surface enables the line (1) to glide on a fluid pad of less than 1 mm. The losses of fluid on the surfaces not covered by the line (1) are very low.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: Bachofen & Meier AG Maschinenfabrik
    Inventors: Bruno Holtmann, Konrad Dessovic, José Antonio Mena
  • Patent number: 6613146
    Abstract: A strand coating apparatus having an applicator head with a coating material dispenser coupled thereto, a strand guide roller coupled to the applicator head adjacent a coating material orifice of the dispenser, the strand guide roller having one or more strand guides each having a corresponding annular groove disposed about a hub, the one or more strand guides disposed and retained between a shoulder flange and removable locking collar of the hub, and in some embodiments one or more spacers are disposed between adjacent strand guides of the strand guide roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc
    Inventor: Edward W. Bolyard, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6613144
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for dosing flowable, preferably thick media, without the use of a pump. The device can preferably be interchanged on the cover or can be fixed as a cover of a common withdrawing device for paper towels, woven fabrics or other fabrics, cotton balls and the like. The inventive device comprises a dispensing container which is either constructed as a cover itself or comprises means for fastening on such a cover. In addition, said container releases a desired quantity of medium located therein when pressure is exerted on a predetermined partial area. The invention is preferably used in the areas of personal hygiene, household cleaning and industry in order to clean, polish and/or lubricate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: Kuyus-Stiftung
    Inventors: Ulrich Loertscher, Toni Pfluger
  • Patent number: 6610148
    Abstract: A catch pan apparatus for starting and stopping coating is disclosed for coating a downwardly moving receiving surface by curtain coating. The catch pan device includes an intercepting pan that intercepts the curtain when coating is stopped and a substantially horizontal intercepting surface that intercepts the curtain only when the catch pan moves to start or stop coating. The intercepting pan and horizontal intercepting surface intersect to create a volume that retains in the catch pan excess liquids that would otherwise spill onto the coating receiving surface as the catch pan is retracted to a non-intercepting position. The catch pan is controllably retracted at high speed through the curtain using linear servomotors such that the releasing edge of the horizontal intercepting surface passes close to the coating receiving surface at the point of curtain release. Flushed edge guides maintaining curtain width are positioned outside the lateral edges of the catch pan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2003
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Ruschak, Robert J. Deprez
  • Patent number: 6607145
    Abstract: In a spray gumming unit, a gumming device is equipped with an ejector that sprays an adhesive substance and that is connected with a shutter element. The shutter element moves towards and away from the ejector between a position where it closes the ejector and in which a pad, fixed to one end of it, is in contact with the ejector, and a position where the ejector is left open. During the movement of the shutter element and of the pad between the ejector open and closed positions, an applicator applies an antiadhesive liquid substance on the pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Assignee: G.D S.p.A.
    Inventors: Silvano Boriani, Alver Tacchi, Alessandro Minarelli
  • Patent number: 6599364
    Abstract: An apparatus for applying liquid or pasty application medium, in particular aqueous pigment suspension, to one or both sides of a moving material web, especially to a paper or board web, during its production and/or finishing. The invention provides for the vacuum generating device to be assigned to that side of the material web which faces away from the application medium curtain, at least to the region of incidence of the application medium on the material web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Assignee: Voith Paper Patent GmbH
    Inventor: Benjamin Méndez-Gallon
  • Patent number: 6592931
    Abstract: In a coating method, a precoating layer is applied to one surface of a web W laid between a plurality of web guide rollers GR while a leading end surface of an extrusion-type head portion EX is pressed against the one surface of the web. Accordingly, entrained air increasing as the transferring speed of the web becomes higher could be prevented from entering a coating point on a doctor edge surface near an outlet of a slot by the meniscus of coating liquid formed in a slight gap between the front edge surface of the extrusion-type head portion and the one surface of the web approaching there. As a result, the precoating layer having an excessive amount can be applied stably without turbulence at the coating point caused by the entrained air. Further, coating can be done stably in the rod portion by setting the thickness of the precoating layer for a final coating layer and a virtual coating layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideaki Takekuma, Mikio Tomaru
  • Patent number: 6582518
    Abstract: A guide system and method for positioning an elongated strand in a liquid dispensing environment. The guide system includes a guide mechanism for supporting and guiding the strand in alignment with a dispensing outlet of a liquid dispenser. The guide mechanism is adjustable along three orthogonal axes. A bead of liquid material is dispensed from the dispensing outlet that is fully or at least partially captured on the strand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignee: Nordson Corporation
    Inventor: John M. Riney
  • Patent number: 6579366
    Abstract: A coating machine for directly or indirectly applying a coating to a material web is designed to apply liquid or viscid coating medium onto a moving surface. The coating machine includes a discharge nozzle for discharging a coating medium onto the moving surface. The discharge nozzle has a first nozzle lip residing on the feed-side, and a second nozzle lip residing on the trailing side with respect to the moving surface. At least one of the first and second nozzle lips is composed of a blade element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2003
    Assignee: Voith Paper Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Richard Bernert, Manfred Ueberschär, Eckhard Wozny, Dennis Fartheymüller
  • Patent number: 6576298
    Abstract: The interface between a moving conveyor belt and a work piece can be lubricated using an air driven stream of finely divided droplets of a lubricant composition. Droplets of a preferred size are directed by the air stream onto the conveyor with little waste of lubricant off the conveyor. The lubricant provides a very low coefficient of friction and little or no stress cracking in the containers. Using a low pressure and low flow rate air stream in conjunction with a low flow rate liquid lubricant attains the useful particle size in the lubricant add on spray. The liquid lubricant is sheared by the effect of the air flow creating the desirable droplet size and pattern of lubricant on the conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Bennett, Kim Person Hei, Minyu Li, Amy Haupert, Keith D. Lokkesmoe