Running Length Work Patents (Class 118/65)
  • Patent number: 11236427
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for in-line thermal flattening and enameling of steel sheets. The systems and methods include an in-line thermal flattening of a feed stock steel sheet and a subsequent enamel coating of the steel sheet. The resulting enamel coated steel sheet has improved flatness compared with other coated steel sheets that are enamel coated but do not undergo the in-line thermal flattening. The systems and methods allow the use of less expensive source materials without sacrificing quality in the finished enameled product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: POLYVISION CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kevin Peter Buchanan
  • Patent number: 11149336
    Abstract: An apparatus for the continuous hot dip coating of a metal strip is provided. The apparatus includes a vessel intended to contain a liquid metal bath, a bottom roller and a displacement casing for the metal strip. The casing includes an upper portion and a lower portion. The lower portion includes a pouring box delimiting at least two liquid metal pouring compartments. Each pouring compartment is inwardly delimited by an inner wall including an upper rim. The casing is provided with the pouring box, is rotatable relative to the metal strip around a first rotation axis and the pouring box is rotatable relative to the upper portion of the casing around a second rotation axis. A method for coating the metal sheet is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: ARCELORMITTAL
    Inventors: José Veg, Didier Dauchelle, Hubert Saint-Raymond
  • Patent number: 10294612
    Abstract: Biomass (e.g., plant biomass, animal biomass, and municipal waste biomass) is processed to produce useful intermediates and products, such as energy, fuels, foods or materials. For example, equipment, systems and methods are described that can be used to treat feedstock materials, such as cellulosic and/or lignocellulosic materials, in a vault in which hazardous gases are removed, destroyed and/or converted. The treatments are efficient and can reduce the recalcitrance of the lignocellulosic material so that it is easier to produce an intermediate or product, e.g., sugars, alcohols, sugar alcohols and energy, from the lignocellulosic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: Xyleco, Inc.
    Inventors: Marshall Medoff, Thomas Craig Masterman, Robert Paradis
  • Patent number: 9702020
    Abstract: The invention provides a vertical annealing furnace including a heating zone and a soaking zone without any partition wall therebetween. The furnace has furnace-to-refiner gas suction openings disposed in a lower portion of a joint between the soaking zone and a cooling zone and in the heating zone and/or the soaking zone except a region extending 6 m in a vertical direction and 3 m in a furnace length direction both from a steel strip inlet at a lower portion of the heating zone. The furnace has refiner-to-furnace gas ejection openings disposed in a region in the joint between the soaking zone and the cooling zone, the region being located above the pass line in the joint, and in a region in the heating zone located above 2 m below the center of upper hearth rolls in the vertical direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: JFE Steel Corporation
    Inventor: Hideyuki Takahashi
  • Patent number: 9337065
    Abstract: A system for drying a surface of a substrate is provided. The system for drying a surface of a substrate comprising: a rotary support; a first dispenser fluidly coupled to a source of liquid, the first dispenser positioned above the surface of the substrate so as to be capable of applying a film of the liquid to the surface of the substrate; a second dispenser fluidly coupled to a source of drying fluid with a supply line, the second dispenser positioned above the surface of the substrate so as to be capable of applying the drying fluid to the surface of the substrate; and a proportional valve operably coupled to the supply line between the second dispenser and the source of drying fluid, the proportional valve capable of being incrementally adjusted from a closed position to an open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Inventors: Zhi Lewis Liu, Hanjoo Lee, Ismail Kashkoush
  • Patent number: 9212414
    Abstract: A meniscus coating apparatus and method for coating at least one surface of a metal strip includes an apparatus having an adjustable coating tray, a roll enclosure disposed adjacent the coating tray, an adjustable baffle, and/or a gas delivery device operable to help seal the roll enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: AK Steel Properties, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry E. Parrella, Paul V. Janavicius, George A. Paraskos
  • Publication number: 20150140212
    Abstract: There is provided a film-forming apparatus including a roll-to-roll mechanism and a heating unit. The roll-to-roll mechanism is configured to transport a film-forming target and includes a tensile force relaxation unit configured to relax a tensile force applied to the transported film-forming target. The heating unit is configured to heat the film-forming target transported by the roll-to-roll mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2013
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Kobayashi, Keisuke Shimizu, Koji Kadono, Yukiko Mizuguchi, Yosuke Murakami
  • Publication number: 20150037506
    Abstract: A manufacturing facility is provided for manufacturing a product on a foil (FO). The manufacturing facility comprises a deposition zone (10) formed by a clean room wherein at least a first and a second deposition facility (21, 22) are arranged for depositing a layer of a material on the foil. The manufacturing facility further comprises at least one processing facility (31) for processing the deposited layer, said processing facility being arranged outside said deposition zone and comprising a processing trajectory with a first path (31a) away from said deposition zone, towards a turning facility (41) and with a second path (31b) from said turning facility back towards said deposition zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2013
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Inventors: Ike Gerke De Vries, Hieronymus Antonius Josephus Maria Andriessen, Arjan Langen
  • Publication number: 20150000590
    Abstract: Methods, wires, and apparatus for use in cutting (e.g., slicing) hard, brittle materials is provided. The wire can be a super-abrasive wire that includes a wire core and super-abrasive particles bonded to the wire core via a metal bonding layer. This wire, or another type of wire, can be used to slice workpieces useful for producing wafers. The workpieces can be aligned within a holder to produce wafers using the device and methods presently provided. The holder rotates about its central axis, which translates to workpieces moving in orbit around this axis. A single abrasive wire, or multiple turns of wire stretched tightly between wire guides, is then contacted with the rotating holder to slice the workpieces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2014
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventors: Tangali Sudarshan, Igor Agafonov, Robert Mark Kennedy
  • Patent number: 8875651
    Abstract: A double-sided coated substrate transport device (1) is described. A die head for front face coating (3) and a die head for back face coating (4) coat a coating liquid onto a substrate 1. A drying oven (5) dries the coating liquid applied to the substrate (1), to form coating films on the front and back faces of the substrate (1). A first and second rotating body unit (20A, 20B) are respectively furnished independently at widthwise edge sections of the substrate (1). Each of the first and second rotating body units has a free roller (21) and a drive roller (22) constituting a pair of rotating bodies, and a rotating body swivel section (23). The free roller (21) and the drive roller (22) grip the widthwise edge sections of the substrate (1) from the front and back sides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Toray Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Atsushi Watanabe
  • Publication number: 20140318445
    Abstract: A system for fabricating a conductive yarn from a preformed yarn includes a yarn spool, a soaking unit, a drying unit, and a yarn winder. The yarn spool is configured for winding and unwinding of the preformed yarn. The soaking unit is configured to receive a conductive slurry and to permit passage of a leading segment of the preformed yarn so that the preformed yarn is moistened with and absorbs the conductive slurry. The drying unit is configured to subject the preformed yarn that exits the soaking unit to a heat treatment to result in the conductive yarn. The yarn winder is configured to be connected to the leading segment of the preformed yarn and is configured for winding of the conductive yarn thereon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2014
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: Asiatic Fiber Corporation
    Inventor: Yao-Yuan Chang
  • Publication number: 20140193586
    Abstract: A plant for coating a strip (5) by means of continuous hot dipping, comprising a containment tank (2) to contain molten zinc; a coating vessel (3) receiving the molten zinc, arranged above the containment tank and provided with an opening (4) on a bottom thereof for passing the strip; a chamber (6) arranged below the coating vessel and provided with guide rollers (7, 8) to guide the strip towards said opening; wherein the containment tank is arranged below the guide rollers so that chamber and containment tank form a single place, and wherein there is provided an intercepting and conveying system (9), arranged within the chamber, to intercept and convey the molten zinc leaking from said opening into the containment tank, said intercepting and conveying system being configured to bypass and wind the guide rollers and the strip being fed towards said opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2012
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Applicant: Danieli & C. Officine Meccaniche S.P.A.
    Inventors: Alfredo Poloni, Zamir Pomare
  • Publication number: 20140178594
    Abstract: A time for doping an electrode material on an electrode sheet with a lithium ion can be reduced. The electrode manufacturing apparatus includes a processing chamber 200 to and from which the electrode sheet is loaded and unloaded; a rare gas supply unit 230 configured to introduce a rare gas into the processing chamber; an exhaust device 220 configured to exhaust an inside of the processing chamber to a certain vacuum level; and a lithium thermal spraying unit 210 configured to dope a carbon material C with the lithium ion by forming a lithium thin film on the carbon material of the electrode sheet W loaded into the processing chamber while melting and spraying lithium-containing powder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Kobayashi, Satoshi Taga
  • Patent number: 8726829
    Abstract: A chemical bath deposition apparatus is presented to prepare different thin films on continuous flexible substrates in roll-to-roll processes. In particular, they are useful to deposit CdS or ZnS buffer layers in manufacture of thin film solar cells. This apparatus deposits thin films onto vertically travelling continuous flexible workpieces delivered by a roll-to-roll system. The thin films are deposited with continuously spraying the reaction solutions from their freshly mixed styles to gradually aged forms until the designed thickness is obtained. The substrates and the solutions are heated to a reaction temperature. During the deposition processes, the front surfaces of the flexible substrates are totally covered with the sprayed solutions but the substrate backsides are remained dry. The reaction ambience inside the reactor can be isolated from the outside atmosphere. The apparatus is designed to generate a minimum amount of waste solutions for chemical treatments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Inventor: Jiaxiong Wang
  • Patent number: 8685166
    Abstract: Provided is an apparatus for continuously fabricating superconducting tapes. An evaporation using drum in dual chamber (EDDC) method is suitable for mass production of high-temperature superconducting tapes. However, the EDDC method is limited to fabrication of high-temperature superconducting tapes having a limited length. In an attempt, high-temperature super-conducting tapes having a sufficiently large length can be fabricated using the EDDC method by releasing a long high-temperature superconducting tape from one reel and winding the long high-temperature superconducting tape around the other reel. In this case, it is important to stably move a high-temperature superconducting tape spirally wound around a drum from one reel to the other reel. Therefore, the provided apparatus uses endless tract belts separately disposed around a drum to stably and continuously move a high-temperature superconducting tape spirally wound around the drum along the centerline of the drum from one reel to the other reel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignees: Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Sunam Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Do-Jun Youm, Ja-Eun Yoo, Byoung-Su Lee, Sang-Moo Lee, Ye-Hyun Jung, Jae-Young Lee
  • Patent number: 8276291
    Abstract: A method of drying a surface of a substrate is provided. The method includes supporting a substrate; rotating the substrate about a rotational center point; applying a liquid to the substrate via a liquid dispenser; applying a drying fluid to the substrate via a drying fluid dispenser; moving the drying fluid dispenser and the liquid dispenser in a direction toward an edge region of the substrate, the drying fluid being applied closer to the rotational center point than the fluid; upon the liquid being applied to the edge region of the substrate, discontinuing application of the liquid while continuing the manipulation of the drying fluid dispenser; and upon the drying fluid being applied to the edge region of the substrate, continuing to apply the drying fluid for a predetermined period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Inventors: Zhi (Lewis) Liu, Ismail Kashkoush, Hanjoo Lee
  • Patent number: 8196312
    Abstract: A technology can efficiently dry the high-boiling point solvent contained in the object and achieve the space-saving and energy-saving of a drying apparatus. A drying method for drying an object containing a first solvent while conveying the object into a chamber (38), comprises: a first drying step of drying the object up to a drying point in the prestage of the chamber (38); and a second drying step of forming a vapor atmosphere of a second solvent having a lower boiling point than the first solvent in the chamber (38) and drying the object such that the temperature of the object in an inlet port of the chamber (38) is made to be lower by a predetermined temperature difference than the temperature of the vapor atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Takao Taguchi
  • Patent number: 8109010
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for drying an applied film formed by applying an application liquid containing an organic solvent to a traveling long support medium, wherein the temperature Tb of the long support medium before application is not less than 2° C. lower than the temperature Tc of the application liquid and the wind velocity in the vicinity of the applied film after application is not more than 0.5 m/s, thereby the applied film is dried uniformly in the initial drying of the applied film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation
    Inventor: Nobuo Hamamoto
  • Publication number: 20110272621
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for manufacturing thermal and/or acoustic insulation products based on mineral wool, especially on rock wool or glass wool, bound by a sizing composition based on a thermosetting resin, in particular of resol type, which aims to limit the emissions of formaldehyde. The method is characterized in that it comprises a step that consists in applying a composition of an agent capable of reacting with formaldehyde, chosen from compounds having active methylene(s), to the insulation product, after the thermosetting resin has crosslinked. Another subject of the present invention is the device for carrying out the aforementioned process and the insulating products based on mineral fibers that are obtained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2009
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Applicant: SAINT-GOBAIN ISOVER
    Inventors: Boris Jaffrennou, Jerome Douce, Helene Menival, Olivier Pons Y Moll
  • Publication number: 20100107979
    Abstract: Provided is an apparatus for continuously fabricating superconducting tapes. An evaporation using drum in dual chamber (EDDC) method is suitable for mass production of high-temperature superconducting tapes. However, the EDDC method is limited to fabrication of high-temperature superconducting tapes having a limited length. In an attempt, high-temperature super-conducting tapes having a sufficiently large length can be fabricated using the EDDC method by releasing a long high-temperature superconducting tape from one reel and winding the long high-temperature superconducting tape around the other reel. In this case, it is important to stably move a high-temperature superconducting tape spirally wound around a drum from one reel to the other reel. Therefore, the provided apparatus uses endless tract belts separately disposed around a drum to stably and continuously move a high-temperature superconducting tape spirally wound around the drum along the centerline of the drum from one reel to the other reel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2008
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Applicants: Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, SUNAM CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Do-Jun Youm, Ja-Eun Yoo, Byoung-Su Lee, Sang-Moo Lee, Ye-Hyun Jung, Jae-Young Lee
  • Patent number: 7654010
    Abstract: A substrate processing method for a substrate processing system comprising at least a substrate processing apparatus that subjects a substrate to processing, and a substrate transferring apparatus having a transferring device that transfers the substrate, which enables the yield to be increased without bringing about a decrease in the throughput. The substrate processing method comprises a jetting step of jetting a high-temperature gas onto at least one of the transferring device and the substrate transferred by the transferring device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Moriya, Kazuya Nagaseki
  • Patent number: 7644512
    Abstract: A method of drying a surface of a substrate is provided. The method includes supporting and rotating a substrate; applying a liquid to the substrate surface at or near a rotational center point via a liquid dispenser (so that a film of the liquid is formed on the surface); applying a drying fluid to the substrate surface at a predetermined distance from the rotational center point via one or more drying fluid dispensers; and manipulating the drying fluid dispenser(s) so that the location at which the drying fluid is applied to the substrate is moved in a direction toward the rotational center point, while at the same time manipulating the liquid dispenser so that the location at which the liquid is applied to the substrate is moved in a direction outward from the rotational center point. The liquid dispenser and drying fluid dispenser(s) noted above can be located on and/or within an assembly. The assembly can include a first dispenser, a second dispenser, and a third dispenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Inventors: Zhi (Lewis) Liu, Ismail Kashkoush, Hanjoo Lee
  • Patent number: 7541067
    Abstract: A deposition method which deposits a CdS buffer layer on a surface of a solar cell from a process solution including all chemical components of the CdS buffer layer material. CdS is deposited in a deposition chamber by heating the surface of the solar cell absorber to cause the transfer of heat from the solar cell absorber layer to at least a portion of the process solution that is in contact with the surface. Used solution is cooled, and replenished in a solution container and redirected into the deposition chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Assignee: Solopower, Inc.
    Inventor: Bulent M. Basol
  • Publication number: 20070231492
    Abstract: A polymer film producing apparatus has a moving support on which dope containing polymer and solvent is cast to form a cast film. The cast film is stripped from the support to obtain a polymer film containing the solvent, and the polymer film is dried. A first gas flow duct has gas nozzles for causing a first dry gas to flow toward the cast film. A second gas flow duct has a gas outlet disposed downstream from the gas nozzles, and positioned higher than a height of the gas nozzles relative to the support, for causing a second dry gas to flow toward the cast film in a moving direction of the support. Furthermore, the first gas flow duct includes a gas blow wall for defining the first flow path by opposing to the support. The gas blow wall has the gas nozzles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2007
    Publication date: October 4, 2007
    Applicant: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Koju Ito, Satoshi Sakamaki, Nobuyoshi Suzuki
  • Patent number: 7182813
    Abstract: The coating construction has flexibility corresponding to the number of layers of multiple coating layers, by which a multilayer coating film can be produced with small film thickness without adherence of dust to a film surface, a drying fault such as unevenness induced by drying-wind on the film surface, or a coating fault such as a level variation and a streak. The multilayer coating film has a coating surface state of high quality with coating thickness deviation of 3% or less. A coating device is constructed in which at least a feed roller, a coater and a dryer are integrally incorporated in a casing, and the coating device is given a function as an independent device, whereby the production apparatus of the multilayer coating film can be constructed by only appropriately placing as many coating devices as the number corresponding to the number of layers of the multiple coating layers formed on a web between a delivery device and a winder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shuichi Endo, Kazuhiko Nojo, Tomonari Ogawa, Atsushi Kodou
  • Patent number: 7097711
    Abstract: An electrostatic flocking operation of a workpiece (5) is advantageously performed in a condition in which the moisture content of an adhesive layer formed on a surface of the workpiece (5) is kept at a favorable value by a humidifier (1). The humidifier (1) is provided between an electrostatic flocking chamber and an adhesive applicator which is disposed in the upstream side of the electrostatic flocking chamber. In the humidifier (1), a current of a moisture bearing air (2) is driven upon the adhesive layer of the workpiece (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignees: Mesac Corporation, Sumitomo Corporation
    Inventors: Masaaki Abe, Teruyuki Tatsumi
  • Patent number: 6845928
    Abstract: A gas wiping nozzle for a wire coating apparatus includes an inlet portion defining a converging inlet passage for a coated wire that is axially drawn through the gas wiping nozzle. A wiping portion is further included and defines a wiping passage for the coated wire, downstream and in an axial extension of the inlet passage. The wiping portion has a gas outlet surrounding the wiping passage for blowing wiping gas onto the coated wire. A protruding annular lip is arranged between the converging inlet passage and the wiping passage, and the annular lip defining a passage for the coated wire that is narrower than the wiping passage so that the gas outlet means in the wiping passage is protected by the protruding annular lip against direct contact with the coated wire which is axially drawn through the passages of the wiping gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2005
    Assignee: Trefilarbed Bissen SA
    Inventor: Fernand Felgen
  • Patent number: 6841004
    Abstract: Disclosed is an optical fiber coating device for coating the outer circumference of the optical fiber with the coating material, in which the coating device is provided with and a gas provider for providing an environmental gas within the coating device, and a cooler for cooling down the environmental gas provided to the coater from the gas provider.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2005
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sung-Koog Oh, Man-Seok Seo, Kyeong-Sup Kim
  • Publication number: 20040081756
    Abstract: A workpiece coating apparatus (12) for applying a coating to each of a plurality of workpieces (11). A coating system (14) includes a coating chamber (18) that receives the workpieces (11) for coating. A curing system (16) includes a curing chamber (20) that receives workpieces (11) for curing. A conveyor system (22) rotates the workpieces (11) about horizontal axes (38) while serially transporting them first through the coating chamber (18) for coating and then through the curing chamber (20) for curing. The coating chamber (18) and curing chamber (20) are stacked to minimize floor space requirements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2003
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Inventors: Timothy D. Coots, Will Stephau
  • Publication number: 20040076754
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an arrangement in the manufacture of coated printing paper when coating the paper web at least on one side. For drying the paper after the coating station, a dryer is used by means of which the web is dried with hot air or superheated steam or infrared radiation, or a combination of these is used. The said dryer is placed immediately after the coating station. The drying of the paper is continued in the said dryer at least until the coating in the dryer area reaches its solidification point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2003
    Publication date: April 22, 2004
    Inventors: Pasi Rajala, Pertti Heikkila
  • Publication number: 20040062858
    Abstract: A production method capable of stably producing a prepreg and a copper foil with thin insulating layer using a thin backbone material capable of securing excellent laser hole-making property.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2003
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventors: Tetsuro Sato, Noriyuki Nagashima
  • Patent number: 6627261
    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: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Metso Paper, Inc.
    Inventors: Mika Vähäkuopus, Vilho Nissinen, Seppo Luomi
  • Patent number: 6503325
    Abstract: In a method of application of a coating medium by use of a spray device onto a moving surface, which in the direct application method is the surface of a material web, specifically a paper or cardboard web, an atmosphere of back-moistening and/or moistening medium for the atomized coating medium is maintained in the area of the spray device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Assignee: Voith Sulzer Papiertechnik Patent GmbH
    Inventor: Harald Hess
  • Patent number: 6461671
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for coating a moving paper web, in which the web to be coated is first guided to a coating station correctly aligned and a first side of the web is coated with a coat layer. Next, the web is guided upwards from the coating station and the first coat layer is dried using non-contact dryers. From the dryers the web is guided to the next coating station correctly aligned, and the second side of the web is coated with a coat layer, the web is guided upwards from the coating station and the coat layer on the second side of the web is dried using non-contact dryers. When the web is directed from the coating station through the dryers, it is guided non-contactingly by means of air jets such that the web is first non-contactingly turned in the machine direction during drying and next, similarly during drying, towards the level of the coating stations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Assignee: Valmet Corporation
    Inventors: Jorma Kinnune, Vilho Nissinen
  • Patent number: 6426119
    Abstract: The coater apparatus enclosure encloses the entire die of a coating apparatus includes an enclosure structure, a saturation station which saturates a supply gas with solvent, a device which supplies solvent-saturated gas to the enclosure to continuously purge the enclosure, and a device which controls the gas flow to the enclosure. The saturation station could include a heated jacketed vessel and a porous metal bubbler, or it could include a series of heat exchangers. No streaks can form due to coating fluid drying on the die lip because the gas supplied to the die enclosure is saturated with the solvent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2002
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Robert A. Yapel, Kent D. Nelson, Thomas M. Milbourn, Richard J. Foss
  • Patent number: 6251477
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for coating a moving paper web, in which the web (2) to be coated is first guided to a coating station (7) correctly aligned and a first side of the web (2) is coated with a coat layer. Next, the web (2) is guided upwards from the coating station (7) and the first coat layer is dried using non-contact dryers (8, 9). From the dryers the web (2) is guided to the next coating station (14) correctly aligned, and the second side of the web (2) is coated with a coat layer, the web (2) is guided upwards from the coating station (14) and the coat layer on the second side of the web (2) is dried using non-contact dryers (8, 9). When the web is directed from the coating station (7) through the dryers (8, 9), it (2) is guided non-contactingly by means of air jets such that the web (2) is first non-contactingly turned in the machine direction during drying and next, similarly during drying, towards the level of the coating stations (7, 14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2001
    Assignee: Valmet Corporation
    Inventors: Jorma Kinnunen, Vilho Nissinen
  • Patent number: 6183558
    Abstract: A method for forming a molecular film includes the steps of: coating a surface of a substrate having active hydrogen atoms on its surface with a coating solution containing a silane-based compound having at least one reactive group selected from the group consisting of a chloro group, an alkoxy group and an isocyanate group; and effecting an elimination reaction between the active hydrogen atoms on the surface of the substrate and reactive groups of the silane-based compound, thereby covalently bonding the silane-based compounds to the surface of the substrate. The substrate is supplied to a chamber in which an atmosphere is maintained at a low water vapor density. The surface of the substrate is coated with a coating solution containing the silane-based compound and a solvent by using a transfer element. A dehydrochlorination reaction is effected between the active hydrogen atoms and the chloro groups of the silane-based compounds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tadashi Otake, Norihisa Mino, Tohru Nakagawa, Mamoru Soga, Kazufumi Ogawa, Takaiki Nomura, Yasuo Takebe
  • Patent number: 5976250
    Abstract: An apparatus for simultaneously treating a plurality of cords for use in power transmission belts. The apparatus has a heating chamber, heated air in the chamber, and a guide system for simultaneously guiding a first cord in a first predetermined path and a second cord in a second predetermined path through the heating chamber. The guide system has at least a first roller with a first axis and first structure for causing the first cord and the second cord to move at least partially around the axis of the first roller progressively axially relative to the first roller as the first cord moves in the first predetermined path and the second cord moves in the second predetermined path through the heating chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: Mitsuboshi Belting Ltd.
    Inventors: Masakastu Maetani, Shinji Kotani, Haruyuki Tsubaki, Takashi Masuda
  • Patent number: 5937535
    Abstract: A dryer (10) for printed textiles and substrates is disclosed having a plurality of infrared-based sensors (60) therein for monitoring the temperature of the products as opposed to the ambient environment. Each sensor (60) is positioned within a projecting sensor housing (55,58). The sensor housing (55,58) has an annular chamber (70) to protect and cool the sensor (60). A chilling/dehumidifying system (100) is also disclosed that incorporates a dehumidifier (110) and, humidity monitors (160).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Assignee: M&R Printing Equipment, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard C. Hoffman, Jr., Laurence A. Iaccino, Mariusz Switalski
  • Patent number: 5906862
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for coating and drying coated substrates without introducing significant surface imperfections while running at higher web speeds than known drying methods. The substrate is preferably coated within the drying enclosure or the coating bead may form a closure at the entrance of the drying enclosure. The substrate is moved through a first drying enclosure along a first axis. The first drying enclosure is substantially isolated from an external environment. A first low velocity, substantially laminar flow field of a drying gas is directed across the front surface of the substrate. The first flow field is generally parallel to the front surface and generally perpendicular to the first axis to minimize the formation of surface imperfections during the evaporation of the coating solvent. The substrate may then be moved to subsequent drying enclosures through transition enclosures that minimize surface imperfections due to high velocity interaction between the adjacent drying enclosures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1999
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Robert A. Yapel, Omar D. Brown, Wayne P. Ray, Daniel V. Norton, Bernard A. Scheller, Manley C. Marcellus
  • Patent number: 5891249
    Abstract: A method for producing continuous and discontinuous fiber metal matrix composites (CFMMC). The method uses aerosolization of finely divided metal powders in a controlled atmosphere which prevents explosions to coat the fibers and then the metal coated fibers are consolidated to form the CFMMC. The composites are useful as heat sinks for electrical components and in applications where a structural reinforced metal matrix composite is needed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1999
    Assignee: Board of Trustees operating Michigan State University
    Inventors: Thomas R. Bieler, Viswanadha R. Yallapragada, Huizhong Wang, Lawrence T. Drzal
  • Patent number: 5855672
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a stationary sliding bar for guiding a paper or cardboard web extends across the entire web width B. Viewed in cross section, the sliding bar has a convex, rounded surface. Due to a relatively high speed of travel of the web, an aerodynamic flotation web forms between the sliding bar and the web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1999
    Assignee: Voith Sulzer Papiermaschinen GmbH
    Inventors: Kurt Eichinger, Walter Humplstotter
  • Patent number: 5851450
    Abstract: Apparatus for use in applying particles to an external layer of uncured resin material of a coating of an optical fibre unit with at least one optical fibre, said apparatus including means (50) defining an axially extending through-passage (52) through which, in use, such an optical fibre unit is passed, said passage defining means having an inlet (62) for admitting fluidized particles into said through-passage, and said through-passage being provided with means (64) for generating turbulence in such fluidized particles in said through-passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1998
    Assignee: Pirelli General plc
    Inventors: Andrew James Rennie, Thomas Curley
  • Patent number: 5851288
    Abstract: A system and a method for marking a continuous substrate, such as a sheathed wire, are disclosed. An aqueous-based ink is deposited onto a continuous substrate passing through an ink deposition means. A gas, heated by a heater and directed by a blower across the continuous substrate, heats the deposited aqueous-based ink in an amount sufficient to cause a pigment of the aqueous-based ink to bond to the substrate, thereby marking the continuous substrate. In an alternate embodiment, a system for marking a continuous substrate includes an elongate housing which is disposed substantially vertically. A continuous substrate, onto which an aqueous-based ink has been deposited, is directed upwardly through the housing. Gas, which has been heated in a tube disposed within the housing, is directed across the continuous substrate, causing the pigment of the aqueous-based ink to bond to the continuous substrate and thereby mark the continuous substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1998
    Assignee: Gem Gravure Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert R. Garand, John L. Banda, Charles Pike
  • Patent number: 5755882
    Abstract: A closed loop controllable fluid application system is provided, comprising a substantially enclosed housing, having horizontal and vertical surfaces, with an inlet and an outlet slot formed in opposing vertical surfaces allowing passage of a work piece through the housing; and a mist outlet and a sump drain each formed in one of a horizontal and a vertical surface. Fluid circulation lines communicate with the housing and an application fluid source, terminating inside the housing with a connection to one or more controllable spray devices for delivering atomized application fluid to coat passing work pieces. A mist collector evacuates air through the mist outlet and extracts application fluid from the evacuated air. The mist collector and the sump drain are connected to fluid circulation lines for recycling excess liquid and air-borne application fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1998
    Inventor: Dennis A. Patrick
  • Patent number: 5665160
    Abstract: An air knife device for regulating the thickness of a layer deposited on a strip at the output of a bath, comprising at least one nozzle defined by two lips spaced a small distance apart, the nozzle being supplied with pressurized fluid in order to blow at least one flat jet of fluid onto the strip. The device is associated with at least one fluid cushion stabilizer arranged on at least one side of the nozzle along one of its lips and comprising a substantially flat wall extending from this lip in a direction substantially parallel to the strip so as to define a thin, flat space between the wall and the strip. A fluid is introduced into this space for the formation of a fluid cushion which is able to stabilize the vibrations of the strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 9, 1997
    Assignee: Kvaerner Clecim
    Inventors: Jean Davene, Laurent Dondin
  • Patent number: 5652022
    Abstract: An area of an insulating strip (3) which is to remain free of metal is covered by an endless cover strip (4), which rests on the insulating strip (3) and travels along with it at the same speed. Before it enters a vapor deposition zone (5), the cover strip is provided with a film of oil on the side facing the metal evaporator (6) and, after the cover strip (4) has passed through the vapor deposition zone (5) and after the cover strip (4) and the insulating strip (3) have been separated from each other, the oil which has been deposited from the vapor phase onto the cover strip (4) is removed by heating the cover strip (4) with a heater (7) installed in the immediate vicinity of the cover strip (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 29, 1997
    Assignee: Balzers Und Leybold Deutschland Holding AG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Achtner, Thomas Vogt, Gunter Klemm, Detlef Eller
  • Patent number: 5614265
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for applying a coating to a continuous length of tubing. A coating chamber having entry and exit ports substantially encloses a portion of the tubing while permitting the tubing to pass continuously therethrough. Airflow into the coating chamber through the exit port strips excess coating material from the tubing surface. Air is withdrawn from the coating chamber by vacuum pumps through one or more separation chambers which separate entrained particles or droplets of coating material from the air. The coating chamber is preferably disposed at a distance from the separation chamber(s). The vacuum line connecting the coating chamber with the separation chamber(s) is preferably flexible or breakable. The separation chambers are preferably capable of being operated in series or in parallel. Adjustable masks are preferably provided at the entry and exit ports of the coating chamber. A seal is preferably provided at the entry port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 25, 1997
    Assignee: Allied Tube & Conduit Corporation
    Inventors: Manzoor A. Chaudhry, Jeffrey L. Lamber, Bruce E. Laumann, Edward E. Mild, Brian G. Muick, Stephen T. Norvilas, David S. Pliner, Stephen E. Seilheimer
  • Patent number: 5556466
    Abstract: In order to improve a coating plant for workpieces, in particular for vehicle bodies, comprising a coat application section, a coat drier section following the application section and comprising a drier booth arranged at a higher level in relation to the coat application section, a skid conveyor on the inlet side passing through the coat application section, the skid conveyor moving workpieces mounted on skid frames through the coat application section at a process feeding speed for the application of the coating, and a drier conveying device following the skid conveyor and conveying the skid frames with the coated workpieces mounted thereon through the coat drier section, such that this is simpler in its construction than the known coating plants it is suggested that the drier conveying device be a drier conveyor following the skid conveyor and moving the skid frames at the process feeding speed along a skid frame path through the coat drier section, that the drier conveyor extend beneath the skid frame path
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1996
    Assignee: Duerr GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfram Martin, Hartwig Besinger, Heinrich Weeber
  • Patent number: 5540773
    Abstract: A method for calendering a suture includes passing the suture lengthwise between two pairs of calendering rollers each pair being oriented orthogonally to the other pair. The suture may be coated and/or filled by passing it through the contacting region of a suture filling applicator to which filling agent is supplied by a metering pump. The filling process may be computer controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1996
    Assignee: United States Surgical Corporation
    Inventors: Michael P. Chesterfield, Mark P. Reale