Abstract: A coating installation is provided for a paper mill to apply a coating to at least one surface of a continuous web of paper. To reduce catastrophic damage to the web of paper passing through the coating installation, a continuous support belt is provided for supporting the web entirely through and beyond the location at which the coating is applied to the web. The continuous support belt is formed from a smooth dimensionally stable material exhibiting appropriate stiffness and compressibility for a particular coating application.

Abstract: Investigations have shown that curtailing the entry of air between the coater backing roll (3) and the web (5) being coated can offer a significant reduction in the number of uncoated blotches. By virtue of preventing the occurrence of such coat defects, the rotational speed of the kiss roll (2) in kiss roll coaters can be reduced. The invention is based on pressing the web (5) being coated against the backing roll (3) from the opposite side of the web (5) relative to the backing roll (3) at a point preceding the nip between the kiss roll (2) and the backing roll (3), whereby air is prevented from entering between the web (5) and the backing roll (3). The means employed for pressing the web (5) against the backing roll (3) is an air jet to avoid imposing additional stress on the web.

Abstract: A device for coating a paper web includes two applicator rolls disposed parallel to one another, forming a roll gap for the passage of a paper web therethrough. At least one applicator for applying a coating onto a surface of at least one of the rolls is also provided. The coating roll thereafter transfers the coating onto one side of a paper web disposed in the roll gap. Guide elements disposed downstream of the roll gap with respect to a direction of travel of the paper web through the device include at least one beam-like air guide element adapted to create an air cushion-between the paper web and a surface of the air guide element facing the paper web. The air guide element is disposed in such a manner as to deflect a paper web at least once downstream the roll gap. At least one air guide element is disposed directly downstream of the roll gap at a distance from the roll gap of about 0.3 times to about 1 time the diameter of at least one of the rolls.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for the plasma deposition of a carbon-rich coating onto a substrate is provided. This method includes the steps of: providing a substrate in a vacuum chamber; and generating a carbon-rich plasma in the vacuum chamber by injecting a plasma gas into a hollow cathode slot system containing a cathode made of two electrode plates arranged parallel to each other, providing a sufficient voltage to create and maintain a carbon-rich plasma in the hollow cathode slot system, and maintaining a vacuum in the vacuum chamber sufficient for maintaining the plasma. The plasma is deposited on the substrate to form a carbon-rich coating.

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.

Abstract: A process for providing a relatively smooth, tough, elastomeric coating over one surface of a fibrous batt employs a heated ironing surface which engages an uncured coating of a composition of cross-linkable elastomeric aqueous emulsion applied as a foam or froth to an exposed surface of a fibrous batt. The heated belt causes dewatering and cure of a film of the coating which is in contact with the ironing surface. The fibrous batt thereafter is heated in a curing oven to drive off substantially all of the moisture and substantially cure all of the elastomeric coating composition. The resulting coated fibrous batt has a smoother and tougher surface than similar batts formed from similar compositions without the interposed ironing treatment. A preferred ironing element comprises a continuous stainless steel belt.

Abstract: A strip or roll of thermal transfer type recording sheet has a base film on one side of which a hot-melt ink layer is formed for recording on paper or other surface by thermal transfer. An end mark or marks to be detected optically for warning the user of the fact that the recording roll is being used up is/are formed adjacent one end of the strip by gravure printing with use of a light-reflective ink. The end mark or marks produced by gravure printing are of such constant thickness, and with the bounding edges so sharply defined, that they permit positive detection by an optical sensor.For the production of the end marks by gravure printing, a web of base film with the hot-melt ink layer formed on one side thereof, with a width several times greater than that of each strip of recording sheet to be manufactured, is fed through a printing unit of a gravure printing section.

Abstract: A length of conductive wire is supported between a first reel and a second reel. The first reel is driven to move the wire through the device in a stepped fashion. Each time the wire stops a reciprocating plunger brings a material to be evaporated into contact with the wire. An electric current is passed through the length of wire in the area where the material contacts the wire. The wire is heated by the electric current to melt the material onto the wire to form a bead of material thereon. The wire is advanced to repeat the bead forming process. The wire with the beads formed thereon is wound onto the first reel for later use in an evaporator process. An infrared sensor monitors the heating process to determine if the material is melted at the desired temperature. A sensor is also provided to stop the device if the wire breaks. The advancing of the wire, the operation and refilling of the plunger and the heating of the wire are all performed automatically.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for applying a plastic coating to woven yarn tubing to provide conduit for protecting wiring harnesses and the like. The resulting plastic coating layer is very thin so as to generally follow the contours of the woven yarn tubing, without filling in the valleys, thus minimizing the amount of plastic used. Woven yarn tubing is waterproofed by impregnating with latex sealant, and is continuously pulled by a take-up mechanism along a horizontal axis through a heated die and two treating stations in tandem. Each of the treating stations includes a coating pot containing liquid plastisol material and having a resilient circular exit die through which the tubing exits the coating pot to form a layer of liquid plastisol, and an infrared curing oven which heats the plastisol-coated tubing sufficiently to cure the plastisol layer. The tubing, while coated with uncured plastisol material, is not contacted by any element which would tend to deform the tubing from a circular cross section.

Abstract: The invention is a refastenable mechanical fastening system, made of free formed prongs joined to a substrate. The prongs taper and are nonperpendicularly oriented relative to the plane of the substrate. The prongs may also have an azimuthal angle relative to the machine direction of the substrate. Each prong has an engaging means projecting laterally from the periphery of the prong. The free formed prongs are manufactured by the process of extruding liquid material through the meshes of a deposting member onto a moving substrate to form the base of the prong, stretching the liquid material in a direction parallel to the plane of the substrate, severing the stretched material to form the distal end and engaging means of the prong. The advantageous usage of the fastening system in an article of manufacture, such as a disposable absorbent article specifically a diaper, is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for coating a hydrophilic film which includes a light reaction chamber having UV lamps on either side of the film, two cooling fans and a solvent deflation fan. There are also an air drying plates and coating nozzles.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for applying adhesive onto a porous web having opposed first and second sides, comprises at least one adhesive dispenser which applies adhesive in a first direction onto an adhesive application area located on the first side of the web. An air blower directs a stream of pressurized air through an opening in a plate over which the porous web passes so that the air stream contacts the second side of the porous web in an area opposite the adhesive application area. This prevents bleed-through of adhesive through the porous web without affecting the pattern of adhesive on the first side thereof.

Abstract: A system for marking a continuous substrate, such as a sheathed wire, is 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.

Abstract: An undyed carpet web is pretreated by applying a liquid preparatory agent in a gap of an applicator. Subsequent to the application of the preparatory agent, the carpet web is detained in a dwell apparatus. The web is then suctioned off in a hydroextraction device and steamed in a steaming machine before the dyeing operation begins.

Abstract: Apparatus for internally coating a pipe, comprising electric heating means heating a pipe as it is internally spray coated, a plurality of first rollers mounted on a first rotatable shaft having an inlet end proximate the heating means and an outlet end spaced from the heating means, and a plurality of second rollers mounted on a second rotatable shaft parallel to the first shaft and having an inlet end adjacent the heating means. Each second roller is spaced from and adjacent to a corresponding first roller in a paired relationship to thereby define a nesting groove located above the gap between each set of paired rollers. Motive means rotates the shafts and the mounted rollers to rotate the pipe within the nesting grooves of adjacent pairs of rollers. Axial advancing means longitudinally advances the pipe through the heating means and sequentially along the nesting grooves of adjacent pairs of rollers.

Abstract: The uncoated side of a running web-shaped substrate, the other side of which carries a layer containing an evaporable solvent, is contacted by at least one idler guide roller which is rotated by the substrate. The angle of contact between the uncoated side of the substrate and the peripheral surface of the guide roller is increased by streams of compressed conditioning gas which is discharged by the orifices of two venturis one of which is located immediately upstream of the guide roller and directs gas counter to the direction of advancement of the substrate. The other venturi is located immediately downstream of the guide roller and its orifice discharges gas in the direction of advancement of the substrate.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for achieving and maintaining an inert atmosphere as oxygen-deficient as possible in a treatment chamber, having a reaction zone, particularly an irradiation chamber, traversed by a length of material, wherein the length of material is supplied to the chamber through an inlet channel and conducted from the chamber through an outlet channel. A circulating inert gas stream, which detaches the entrained gas boundary layer held by the material, is moved countercurrently to the length of material in the inlet channel and is supplemented in a controlled manner with fresh inert gas in such amount that a given maximum oxygen concentration is not exceeded in the reaction zone and the flow rate of the inert gas stream is controlled, so that the pressure before the exit gap of the outlet channel is the same or slightly higher than the surrounding pressure.

Abstract: An improved drying system for drying coating fluids is provided by which conventional drying times are greatly reduced by subjecting the coating on a moving support web to a corona discharge in a manner creating a drying current flow along the length of the coating. Further reductions in drying time are realized by subjecting the coating to an intense electrostatic field, air streams and/or heat from a heated platen.

Abstract: A web drying apparatus is provided for a textile machine of the type which is operable to apply a coating or otherwise to wet a web of textile material which is continuously traveled therethrough. The web drying apparatus includes at least a pair of groups of cylindrical drying rollers with each group of rollers being disposed on a respective side of a reference plane. The reference plane is inclined upwardly relative to a nip formed by a pair of squeezing rollers of the wetting device which applies the coating or otherwise wets the textile material. In one embodiment, the drying rollers of one group are disposed in a horizontal plane and the drying rollers of the other group are disposed in a vertical plane. The web drying apparatus additionally includes a device for separating a wet textile web into multiple separate webs.

Abstract: In a method of applying fluid, pasty or plastic substances, especially thermoplastics, to a substrate, the substance is melted, heated and applied via an outlet slit of a perforated cylinder to the substrate, the substrate then being lifted off from the cylinder. Provision is made here for the cylinder (3) to be connected to an energy source (17) and to be designed itself as a heat source for the substance.

Abstract: A strip or roll of thermal transfer type recording sheet has a base film on one side of which a hot-melt ink layer is formed for recording on paper or other surface by thermal transfer. An end mark or marks to be detected optically for warning the user of the fact that the recording roll is being used up is/are formed adjacent one end of the strip by gravure printing with use of a light-reflective ink. The end mark or marks produced by gravure printing are of such constant thickness, and with the bounding edges so sharply defined, that they permit positive detection by an optical sensor.For the production of the end marks by gravure printing, a web of base film with the hot-melt ink layer formed on one side thereof, with a width several times greater than that of each strip of recording sheet to be manufactured, is fed through a printing unit of a gravure printing section.

Abstract: A method of highly accurate printing using a web offset press, particularly suited for stereographic printing. Consistent reproductions of a composite image are produced on a paper web, and registry between the image and an embossed screen is maintained, by preshrinking (e.g., reducing the moisture content of) the paper prior to printing the composite image on the paper web. Preshrinking the paper prevents the subsequent ink drying operation from causing shrinkage of the paper and concomitant variations in the image, permitting inline formation of a screen in accurate registry with the image.

Abstract: Apparatus for applying one or more films of coating material to a running substrate of paper or the like has an endless belt which is trained over pulleys so that its upper reach advances toward a transfer station for coating material and its lower reach advances toward a station for the application of liquefied solvent-containing material. The underside of the lower reach of the belt is heated by a set of infrared heaters so that the liquefied coating material is applied to preheated portions of the belt. This promotes and contributes to predictability of expulsion of solvent from the film along the upper reach of the belt and ensures more predictable solidification of coating material ahead of the transfer station.

Abstract: An air knife formed of a plurality of independently controllable pressure chambers for permitting gas in an assortment of differential pressures to be simultaneously discharged from separate segmental portions along the length of the air knife nozzle in order to produce an essentially uniform and desired coating thickness on a continuously moving and continuously coated workpiece regardless of strip thickness, width, camber, and velocity. The air knife includes a plurality of baffles positioned inside the barrel of the air knife for dividing the barrel into at least three distinct pressure chambers. The baffles are adjustably positionable along the length of the barrel in order to establish the desired segmental lengths along the air knife nozzle from which the differentially pressurized gas is discharged from the air knife. In the preferred embodiment, a computer continuously adjusts and controls the pressure in each chamber, and the position of air knife with respect to the workpiece.

Abstract: In the gas jet wiping of galvanized wire strip or tube the gas jet wiping nozzle and, preferably a reactive gas containment vessel used for modifying the surface coating on the wire, are made in two or more non-annular parts which when abutted together form an annulus. The parts may be releasably held together in their abutted annular form until the wire, strip or tube requires to be rethreaded, then the parts can be separated from one another transversely of the direction of travel of the wire, strip or tube through the nozzle or containment vessel. The threading of the wire, strip or tube through an annular nozzle or containment vessel is thereby avoided.

Abstract: A method and means for producing a layered semiconductor system are proposed wherein the required semiconductor layers are deposited on a carrier layer (10) through interaction with a melt (42). The carrier layer (10) itself may have a basic layer consisting of glass or quartz, which in turn may be formed from a melt by solidification on a metal melt.

Abstract: An apparatus, including a manifold pipe, for applying variable amounts of steam to sections of a calenderable material to control certain properties of the material such as gloss. Built-in steam flow control valves are provided along the manifold pipe to control the amount of steam applied to each section. Bucket nozzles provided on the valves decrease the velocity of the steam jetted from the valves and eliminate any condensate present in the steam before discharging the steam against a surface of the calenderable material. Condensate which may form on the apparatus may be channeled away from the calenderable material by a pair of gutters.

Abstract: A discontinuous system applies chemical solutions, dispersions, slurries and pastes to fibrous materials, paper, plastic and metal sheeting, or their composites, confined in one station and capable to wind, rewind and position rolls in sequence and to process sheeting with the ability to interrupt, inspect sections, and add additional windings of the same roll under varied conditions.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for transparentizing and glossing a resin-coated surface on sheet or web material which may comprise paper or transparency overhead projection stock, includes the delivery of such resin-coated material into intimate contact with non-wetting heated matter supplied in a pool or bath for a time sufficient to transfer heat by conduction from the non-wetting matter to the resin surface. The temperature of the bath is maintained above the glass transition temperature of the resin. The resin coated material may be applied by a roll partially immersed in the bath, or an offset or transfer roll may be positioned in the bath to deliver heated matter from the bath, in non-pressure relation, to the exposed resin surface.

Abstract: In an apparatus for applying liquid, pasty or plastic substances, particularly thermoplastic substances, to a substrate with a device for melting the substances and a feed head for transferring the melted substances to the substrate via at least one nozzle orifice, the device for melting the substances comprises a melting container and a pressure container connected thereto. In order to facilitate melting, heat exchanger surfaces, particularly heat exchanger tubes are arranged in the melting container.

Abstract: A vibration damper for use with an apparatus for applying liquid to both sides of a running web and then drying the web with an air drier. Vibrations induced by the air drier are damped by uniformly blowing air on both sides of the running web between the drier and the liquid application heads. Preferably, the gas ejection surfaces are stepped or tapered so allow larger vibration near the drier but to reduce the allowed vibration nearer the liquid application heads.

Abstract: A device for controlling the cross-directional gloss profile on the surface of a calenderable material by selectively directing jets of steam against sections of the material across its width. Built-in steam flow control valves are provided to control the amount of steam applied to each section. Suction means may also be provided to remove excess steam and thus prevent undesirable condensation on adjacent structures. The gloss finish may be monitored and compared to a desired gloss finish and the valves are activated accordingly.

Abstract: A highly compact machine for applying an attractive protective coating to a paper web that passes through a printing press is located between the last press stand and the dryer of the printing press, and to enable the machine to receive the web, the printing press is provided with an apparatus for directing the web back to the print stands and the machine after the web passes through the dryer. The machine includes upper and lower blanket cylinders, a plate cylinder contacting the lower blanket cylinder, and an oscillating cylinder below the plate cylinder. In addition the coating machine includes a pan containing a coating fluid and a pan roller, the surface of which rotates through the fluid in the pan to lift it out of the pan. A metering roller revolves close to the pan roller to remove excess fluid from the pan roller which thereupon transfers the fluid to a form roller. That form roller runs against the oscillating cylinder and transfers the fluid to the oscillating cylinder.

Abstract: Solvent which is contained in coating material to be applied to a running web is recovered in a chamber which is sealed from the atmosphere and wherein the solvent-containing coating material is first applied to one or more endless belt conveyors which transport the respective layers to discrete transfer stations for application to the running web. Streams of an inert gaseous fluid are circulated through the chamber to withdraw the solvent and to convey it into a condenser wherein the solvent is recovered from the gaseous fluid. The inert gaseous fluid is heated to promote the expulsion of solvent from the coating material on the conveyor or conveyors. The web can be provided with a base coat upstream of the first transfer station so that the layers of coating material are applied over the base coat. The latter is dried upstream of the transfer stations.

Abstract: Apparatus for applying partial surface coatings to textile substrates, particularly adhesive compounds in fixing inset technology. A cylinder rotatable about a cylindrical axis has inner and outer cylindrical surfaces with perforations extending through these surfaces. A coating head mounted inside the cylinder has a coating nozzle adjacent and facing the inner surface. The head includes a feed duct, a main duct extending from the feed duct and an opening chamber extending from the main duct. The opening chamber is bounded by two sealing lips adapted closely to the inside of the cylinder, supported by a mounting structure for the chamber and defining an outlet opening therebetween for controlling flow from the chamber. The structure has rods attached to the lips and adjustably coupled to the coating head to enable the opening to be adjusted in width.

Abstract: A paper web recording medium provided with toner images as conducted through a fixing housing containing solvent vapor over a paper deflection drum for fixing the toner images on the recording medium. The paper deflection drum is formed by a rigid roller body made of expanded or foamed plastic over which an elastic grid network fabric of toner-repellent material is drawn as an exterior surface sleeve. A low-mass paper deflection roller having low thermal conductivity is thus provided, so that no solvent vapor can condense at the surface of the fixing drum. The low-mass structure of the paper deflection drum also prevents a smear print when starting or stopping conduct of the paper web through the fixing housing.

Abstract: A web dryer for use in the graphic arts industry or the like includes a dryer housing through which a printed web travels and which contains a plurality of nozzles, an air inlet, an air exhaust and a source of heat. The desired ventilation rate for purposes of maintaining the interior dryer environment at a required low percentage of the Lower Flammable Limit is designed to be dependent on the measured or calculated rate of ink application to the web. The ink application rate and information regarding the actual exhaust flow or ventilation rate is fed to a ventilation rate control and the exhaust flow or ventilation rate is then varied in response thereto, as by controlling a variable speed exhaust blower. At the same time, make-up air is provided to the dryer interior, preferably at a point remote from the exhaust discharge duct so that it thoroughly mixes with recirculating air within the dryer to reduce condensation problems.

Abstract: Dispensable medical electrodes formed as separable segments of an indefinitely long substrate are formed by applying to the substrate a longitudinally extending stripe of a conductive paint and by overlaying the painted stripe at periodic intervals corresponding to the separable segments with films of a conductive adhesive material which films generally traverse the width of the substrate. After conditioning the conductive adhesive films to a desired moisture content, the substrate is rolled spirally upon itself and stored in an electrode dispenser device. Two types of dispenser device are disclosed. In one type, the dispenser confines a humidity control solution which maintains substantially constant the moisture content of the conductive adhesive films. The second type of dispenser device confines an activating solution which is applied to the conductive adhesive films located on the electrode segments as the electrode segments are dispensed.

Abstract: A lightguide fiber (21) which has been drawn from a preform in a furnace (26) and which has a relatively high temperature is cooled prior to its movement through an apparatus (41) which applies a coating to its outer surface. The fiber is cooled by moving it through a liquid material (42) in a reservoir (40) which is interposed between the furnace and the coating apparatus. The liquid material in the reservoir (40) is the same as the coating material contained in the apparatus that is used subsequently to coat the fiber.

Abstract: Steel strip is run towards container containing liquid zinc, and is either deflected before reaching the surface or from an immersed position, by a second deflection roll; in the first case, a scooping roll flushes liquidous zinc against the strip. The strip is either run through a protective gas containing cooling path or through the outer atmosphere.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for providing surface replication in a coating on a sheet material. The method comprises the steps of:A. applying a flowable coating of a settable composition or material to one side of a web of sheet material;B. pressing the coated side of the sheet material against a replicative surface having a desired contoured surface effect of peaks and valleys to cause the surface of the coating to conform to the replicative surface;C. setting the coating to a nonflowable state at least sufficiently to enable it to be removed from the replicative surface securely attached to the sheet material and with the replicated surface effect in the coating being maintained; andD.

Abstract: Optical fibers are coated under pressure to reduce the amount of bubbles entrapped in the coating and provide good coating concentricities. The fiber is drawn axially thru a thin-walled, cylindrical flow distribution sleeve which is located between a guide die and a sizing die. The sleeve contains a plurality of evenly distributed holes the number and size of which is such that radial flow of liquid toward the fiber is maintained over the entire length of the sleeve which is less than 1.27 cm.

Abstract: Reinforcing fiber materials such as rovings, webbings, and other fiber maials are impregnated with a resinous binder material in such a manner that gaseous inclusions are avoided whereby a surprising increase in the strength of the fiber compound material is achieved. For this purpose the liquid resinous binder material is applied substantially only to one side of the reinforcing material which is then moved through an absorbing zone in which the liquid resinous binder material penetrates the reinforcing material substantially completely as a result of a predetermined residence time and temperature in the absorbing zone. Gas inclusions are removed by adsorption and/or by expulsion. The gas adsorbing and expulsion zone is a chamber in which a plurality of guide rollers are arranged so as to cause the impregnated material to repeatedly reverse its moving direction, whereby the sequential and repeated penetration of the reinforcing material by the resinous material and the removal of gas inclusions are enhanced.

Abstract: Disclosed is a conveying device for conveying a tubing and a fluid contained therein. Also disclosed is an apparatus for internally coating a flexible tubing, wherein the apparatus includes the disclosed conveying device.

Abstract: In the drying of printed or coated webs of moving material with the aid of heated air, the air is cycled through drying chambers or hoods until it is laden with solvents up to a predetermined value of saturation such as 50% of the lower explosion limit, whereafter it is extracted.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for laminating a film (e.g. of transparent polypropylene) to a substrate (e.g. paper stock bearing printed matter). The method and apparatus comprises coating the film at a station incorporating a pair of contra-rotatable rollers rotatable about parallel, horizontal axes and defining a nip. One roller has a portion of its periphery immersable in a bath of water-based adhesive, (e.g. a mix of ethylene and vinyl acetate). The coated film is stripped from the roller and fed to a first infra-red heater tuned to a frequency which evaporates the water content of the adhesive; a laminating station comprising a first pair of contra-rotatable pinch rollers comprising a metal roller and a rubber roller rotatable about parallel axis and defining a nip; a second infra-red heater, also tuned to a frequency that activates the solids of the adhesive adhering to the film; and a second pair of pinch rollers comprising two metal rollers defining a nip.

Abstract: To manufacture a perpendicular magnetic recording medium, a nonmagnetic substrate having a coating layer of a binder with magnetic particles dispersed therein is passed through a magnetic field in a direction substantially perpendicular thereto, and a perpendicular orientation of the magnetic particles is performed as the substrate passes through an upstream region of the magnetic field. A viscosity of the coating layer is increased in a downstream region of the magnetic field, thereby restricting further movement of the magnetic particles in the coating layer before the nonmagnetic substrate is removed from the magnetic field.

Abstract: A finishing method and apparatus for use in conventional hot-dip coating of the type wherein a ferrous base metal strip, having been appropriately pretreated so as to be at or near the proper coating temperature and so as to have its surfaces free of oxides, is cause to pass beneath the surface of a bath of molten coating metal, exiting the bath between conventional finishing rolls. The method comprises the steps of providing an enclosure which overlies at least the coating metal meniscus areas created between the finishing rolls and the strip, and maintaining within the enclosure an inert or non-oxidizing atmosphere to shroud the meniscus areas. The apparatus comprises the above mentioned enclosure with an appropriate system to provide and maintain the inert or non-oxidizing atmosphere therein.

Abstract: There is described a process for producing, in a continuous manner, a gradient dyeing across the width of a long strip of a plastic sheet and an apparatus used therefor. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the orientation of the plastic strip is maintained substantially constant during the passage through a dye bath, and the dye liquid level is repetitively varied by use of a liquid level control means. This invention is particularly useful for making gradient-dyed plastic sheets which in turn are used for making sunglass lenses.

Abstract: A method of curing a wet catalyst-curable resin on a substrate in which the substrate is passed through a treating zone provided by a sealed vapor-curing chamber connected to sealed entrance and exit ante chambers at respective ends. The ante chambers are each separated from the vapor-curing chamber by a wall provided with a passage having height-adjustable means to limit passage of gas. The substrate is passed in turn through the entrance chamber where the boundary layer of air is substantially replaced by inert gas, through the entrance chamber into the vapor-curing chamber where it is exposed to the catalyst vapor, and then through the exit chamber where the curing vapor is removed. When a web provides the substrate, a jet of curing vapor is impinged on the web surface as it enters the vapor-curing chamber at an angle and at a velocity effective substantially to remove the barrier layer of gas and permeate the coating.