Set Is Series Of Traveling Clamps Patents (Class 26/93)
  • Patent number: 11898287
    Abstract: A tenter-clip carriage for a stretching system comprises a longitudinal direction (LR) and a transverse direction and a clip body having a clamping device. The tenter-clip carriage comprises fastening portions in order to fasten the tenter-clip carriage to a partial chain portion of a conveyor chain arrangement of the stretching system. The tenter-clip carriage comprises at least one stabilising roller or at least one stabilising sliding element. The at least one stabilising roller or the at least one stabilising sliding element is, by means of a guide device: a) held directly on the tenter-clip carriage; or b) held indirectly on the tenter-clip carriage via a pin that connects two chain segments of the partial chain portion of the conveyor chain arrangement to one another and, specifically, unaffected by the feed and drive forces acting on the tenter-clip carriage or the partial chain portion to move the tenter-clip carriage and/or the partial chain portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: Brückner Maschinenbau GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Bauer, Thomas Rott, Markus Unterreiner, Daniela Schumacher, Matthias Mitterer, Anthimos Giapoulis
  • Patent number: 11851981
    Abstract: The disclosure provides a downhole completion device for use in a wellbore and a subterranean production well. In one embodiment, the downhole completion device includes: (1) a hydraulic line controlled device, the hydraulic line controlled device having a control line port and one or more fluid leakage paths, and (2) a density barrier having first and second ends, wherein the first end is coupled to the control line port and the second end is configured to couple to a control line extending from a surface installation, the density barrier having an axial loop relative to the hydraulic line controlled device and positioned below the fluid leakage path, thereby preventing migration of leakage fluid from the one or more fluid leakage paths to the surface installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Glen P. Breerwood
  • Patent number: 11668028
    Abstract: A device and a method for handling of weaving accessories are disclosed. The device has a first holding element and at least one further holding element for weaving accessories. The first holding element and the at least one further holding element are provided for being moved cyclically between a supply device and a receiving device. At least the first holding element is configured to complete at least part of its movement between the supply device and the receiving device while the at least one further holding element remains stationary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: GROZ-BECKERT KG
    Inventors: Karl-Heinz Gesing, Bernd Pfeffer, Stefan Kailer, Michael Acker, Christian Gerth
  • Patent number: 11167468
    Abstract: An improved stretching system has the possibility of reducing the distance between two successive guide clips, for example. In technical terms, this is solved by using control clips. For example, a control clip can be provided between two successive guide clips and causes the distance between two successive guide clips to be altered by way of a lateral position adjustment by means of a control rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: BRÜCKNER MASCHINENBAU GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Markus Unterreiner, Michael Bauer, Anthimos Giapoulis, Thomas Rott, Oliver Jung
  • Patent number: 10131085
    Abstract: The invention relates to an improved transporting unit for a transporting device, in particular for a transverse, longitudinal, and/or simultaneous stretching installation, wherein transporting units (KT) can be moved along a guiding and/or supporting rail by means of a clip unit (KL) and a drive unit (AT) connected to the clip unit, is characterized by the following features: the clip transporting unit (KT) or the clip unit (KL) and/or the drive unit (AT) has, for example, a volume or weight fraction of at least 60% that consists of a forged part (ST) and/or is composed of a forging blank (SR).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: BRÜCKNER MASCHINENBAU GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Helmut Gumpinger, Wolfgang Eiselmayer, Rudolf Jauernig
  • Patent number: 9944013
    Abstract: An improved gripper with a toggle lever arrangement is characterized by, among others, the following features —the gripper comprises a gripper lever which is pivotable with respect to a gripper holder around a gripper axis, —the gripper lever is configured as a toggle lever and comprises in addition a first and a second toggle lever leg which are pivotable relative to each other around a toggle lever axis, —in addition a force application unit is provided which acts on the second toggle lever leg pivotable around the toggle lever axis and/or on the toggle lever flap, —the force application unit is thereby configured such that during pivoting of the gripper lever from the release position into the closed- and clamping position thereof, the toggle lever flap initially touches down on the side of the gripper table lying away from the material web while prefixing the material web in this region, before the toggle lever flap reaches the final closed- and clamping position thereof during the remaining pivoting proc
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: BRÜCKNER MASCHINENBAU GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventor: Helmut Gumpinger
  • Patent number: 9144935
    Abstract: A film stretched uniaxially in the transverse direction selectively is obtained by preventing a phenomenon that the film is stretched also in the longitudinal direction in stretching the film in a direction transverse to the conveying direction. A film F is stretched in the transverse direction while being gripped with clips 2 each having a corrugated upper teeth part (holding member piece) 12 and a corrugated lower teeth part (holding member piece) 11. Furthermore, the film F is shaped into a wavy form using corrugated gripping members 6a and 6b and stretched in the transverse direction while being held with the clips 2 having the holding members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: KANEKA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Haruhiko Maki, Kenji Ueshima, Shiro Masuda, Shinji Ikoma, Takatsugu Nakagami
  • Patent number: 8900392
    Abstract: A method is disclosed of directing bias tows of a fabric to be wrapped around a form to create a fabric preform. The fabric includes at least a first set of bias tows that are generally parallel with one another and a second set of bias tows that are generally parallel with one another but that are not parallel with the first set of bias tows. An edge strip is attached to ends of the first set of bias tows at a first lateral edge of the fabric relative to a feed direction of the fabric onto the form. The edge strip is moved to direct the first set of bias tows. The fabric is wrapped around the form by rotating the fabric and form relative to one another about the central axis of the form to create the fabric preform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: GKN Aerospace Services Structures, Corp.
    Inventor: Steven Robert Hayse
  • Patent number: 8286313
    Abstract: A clip support member 30 has a first shaft member 51 cantilevered by guide rollers 56 and 56 for a guiding along a reference rail with a recessed channel 101, the clip support member 30 being provided with a slider 40 having a second shaft member 52 cantilevered by guide rollers 57 and 57 for a guiding along a pitch setting rail 120 with a recessed channel 121, the clip support member 30 supporting a clip 20 at an end thereof, where it has the first shaft member 51, whereto one end of a main link member 53 and one end of a sub-link member 54 are pivotally connected, to constitute a reference linkage at the clip 20 end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Toshiba Kikai Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takayoshi Sano, Satoru Nitta, Hiromu Saijyo
  • Patent number: 8028383
    Abstract: Clipping both right and left side edge parts of a sheet or film by right and left pitch-variable clips having flow-directional clip pitches variable along with travel movements, respectively, having positions (AR, AL) for initiation of enlargements of flow-directional clip pitches changed between right clips and left clips, and enlarging flow-directional clip pitches along with travel movements of clips to thereby make an oblique stretch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Toshiba Kikai Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takayoshi Sano, Satoru Nitta, Hiromu Saijyo
  • Patent number: 7996965
    Abstract: A clip 20 is provided on a clip support member 30, and one end of a main link member 53 and one end of a sub-link member 54 are pivotally connected to a first shaft member 51 at the clip 20 side of the clip support member 30 to constitute a reference linkage at the clip 20 side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Toshiba Kikai Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takayoshi Sano, Satoru Nitta, Hiromu Saijyo
  • Patent number: 7401390
    Abstract: A clip (10) has a frame (31) and a flapper (32). Two dry bearings (37) are inserted into a hole (32d) formed in the flapper. Then an attaching shaft (35) is inserted from one of the holes (34a) in the frame (31) to the other through the dry bearings (37), so as to swingably attaching the flapper (32) to the frame (31). DAIDAYNE DDK 01 of DAIDO METAL Corp. is used as the dry bearing (37). A first and a second clip covers (51,52) are provided to cover the clips (10). Fresh air feeding pipes (55) are connected to the first and second clip covers (51,52). Fresh air is fed from the fresh air feeding pipes (55) toward the clips (10) through air outlets (56) provided in the first and second clip covers (51,52).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Takao Kumazawa, Takashi Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 7322078
    Abstract: The invention relates to drawing systems using a series of jaws for the support, transport and drawing of the film (2), which are supported and guided by rails and driven by endless chains (3), connecting the jaws between the above. Each chain (3) is driven by two toothed wheels (6,7) of large diameter (D), one wheel (6) located at the beginning of the forward run (4) and the other wheel (7) located at the rear end of the return run (5) of the chain (3). Each wheel (6,7) is provided with motorised rotational drive means, said means being synchronised with each other. Such a drive device finds application in high speed drawing machines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Darlet Marchante Technologie S.A.
    Inventors: Innocente Marchante Moreno, Gilbert Trivero
  • Patent number: 7162781
    Abstract: A clip has a frame and a flapper. Two dry bearings are inserted into a hole formed in the flapper. Then an attaching shaft is inserted from one of the holes in the frame to the other through the dry bearings, so as to swingably attaching the flapper to the frame. DAIDAYNE DDK 01 of DAIDO METAL Corp. is used as the dry bearing. A first and a second clip covers are provided to cover the clips. Fresh air feeding pipes are connected to the first and second clip covers. Fresh air is fed from the fresh air feeding pipes toward the clips through air outlets provided in the first and second clip covers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takao Kumazawa, Takashi Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 6658708
    Abstract: A right rail and a left rail are constituted of an entrance rail portion, an exit rail portion, and a rail connecting portion. The respective portions of the rails are moved in a film-width direction via a rail attachment and a positioning section. The positioning section is constituted of a lead screw rod and a positioning motor. The respective positioning motors are controlled by a controller. Upon inputting an entrance width and an exit width through a data input section, the controller moves positions of the respective rail attachments and performs orientation so as to decline an orientation axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Fukuzawa, Toshio Higashikawa
  • Patent number: 6578701
    Abstract: An apparatus for automatically cleaning the clips on a web processing apparatus is described. The apparatus includes a scraper for scraping the web supporting surface of the clips on the web transporting machine, and also desirably includes a clip opener, for facilitating opening of the clip to enable the scraper to easily access the clip web support surface. The scraper is desirably supported in a manner that enables it to move upwards and downwards relative to the web supporting surface of the clips, to account for variations in clip height and positioning. The clip cleaner can be readily applied to existing web processing apparatus, such as tenter frames, and desirably can be selectively moved from an operative position to an inoperative position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2003
    Assignee: Milliken & Company
    Inventors: Arthur Keith Davis, Derek Scott Kozlowski
  • Patent number: 6398993
    Abstract: A film production process having a film tentering step and a recovering step, characterized by detecting the side edge positions of the film running toward the recovering step, transferring the film running direction based on the detected information, and controlling the clamp start position of the film arriving at a tenter in the tentering step by clamp means, in the transverse direction of the film. A film production process having a film tentering step, characterized by controlling the clamp start position of a film arriving at a tenter by clamp means, in the range from 5 mm to 1,000 mm from the tip of the film in the longitudinal direction of the film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: Toray Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Haruhisa Yushio, Takanori Nishida, Koji Hayashi, Hidetoshi Okashiro, Tatsu Iinuma
  • Patent number: 5996196
    Abstract: An improved apparatus for adapting speed, in particular for nippers (1) which can be made to travel along a rail arrangement (3), is distinguished by the following featuresa rotating and electrically conductive eddy-current body (17), preferably designed in the form of an eddy-current wheel or an eddy-current cylinder, is provided,the guide rail arrangement (3) runs at least over and away from a partial region of the eddy-current body (17) with a tangential component,on the carriages (1) which can be made to travel along the guide rail arrangement (3) there is provided or can be excited at least one magnet (7a, 7b), which is arranged on the side facing the eddy-current body (17) and, in the region of the eddy-current body (17), can be moved over and away from the eddy-current body (17), with an air gap being formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: Bruckner Maschinenbau GmbH
    Inventors: Jurgen Breil, Gunter Oedl, Paul Lindner, Ulrich Ruhlemann, Bernd Sieber
  • Patent number: 5970589
    Abstract: Disclosed are an apparatus and method for simultaneously biaxially stretching a film (e.g., a continuous web of film). The apparatus includes upper and lower rails, for guiding a pair of endless links that each has link units for grasping side edges of the film. The endless links have upper and bottom rollers for being guided by (e.g., rolling on) the rails. The upper and bottom rollers are guided respectively by the upper and lower rails in different zones of the apparatus, the endless links being lifted and guided by the upper rail in one zone and being supported and guided by the lower rail in another zone. Since rolling, rather than sliding, friction occurs during movement of the endless links, amount of lubricant needed is decreased and dirt in the system due to large amounts of lubricant used, can be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masanori Hayashi, Tadashi Takata, Jun-ichi Kanamoto
  • Patent number: 5933930
    Abstract: A guide rail for supporting the guide rollers of tenter clamps, in a tentering machine such as a film stretching machine, includes a plurality of spring steel bands clamped to a support member of the tentering machine by a clamping block and clamping bolt. To ensure that the guide rollers remain constantly in contact with the guide rail, the guide rail is elastically yieldable in the thickness direction to compensate for any tolerances or deviations in the arrangement or running operation of the guide rollers. At least one of the spring steel bands of the guide rail is spring-elastically deflectable in a thickness direction perpendicular to the lengthwise extension of the guide rail. In one embodiment, at least one of the spring steel bands is pre-curved to provide the necessary elastic spring characteristic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Assignee: Lindauer Dornier Gesellschaft mbH
    Inventor: Andreas Rutz
  • Patent number: 5924180
    Abstract: An improved transport device comprises a novel guide rail (3). Carriages (5) can be moved along the guide rail (3), which carriages comprise guide elements (25a, 25b; 25c, 25d) for this purpose, which elements are supported on rail guiding surfaces (17a, 17b; 17c, 17d) of the guide rail (3). The guide rail is held in a prestressed and/or damped manner with variable guide elements (25a, 25b; 25c, 25d) comprising, for example, sliding pieces or running rollers at the respective spacing of the ?sic!. As a result, the spacing distance between the rail guiding surfaces (17a, 17b; 17c, 17d) can automatically be adjusted to the variable, in each case given, spacing of the guide elements (25a, 25b; 25c, 25d).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1999
    Assignee: Bruckner Maschinenbau GmbH
    Inventors: Paul Lindner, Ulrich Ruhlemann
  • Patent number: 5896631
    Abstract: Spring steel tapes are shaped with tape edge sections extending alongside a central tape section having a constant thickness, so that the thickness of the tape edge sections diminishes from the central section to the edges. Such tapes are combined in tape packages to form guide rails for tentering clamps, whereby a continuous contact between tentering clamp guide rollers and the guide rails is assured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1999
    Assignee: Lindauer Dornier Gesellschaft mbH
    Inventor: Andreas Rutz
  • Patent number: 5862574
    Abstract: A new low-profile tentering system for a tenter machine is realized according to the present invention by a tenter frame including low-profile rail assemblies for carrying an endless carrier. A series of attachment blocks of the endless carrier have tentering connectors to provide for transporting a sheet material under widthwise tension in a longitudinal path through the tenter machine.Each rail assembly has guideways for supporting and carrying an endless carrier within the guideways. The tentering system of this invention uniquely uses a plurality spherical bearing balls for transporting the endless carrier within slots of the guideways. The endless carrier includes an endless belt or endless chain connecting a series of attachment blocks for holding the bearing balls in a position so that they can freely rotate within the guideways. Tentering connectors are carried by the attachment blocks of the endless carrier for supporting spaced apart edges of the sheet material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1999
    Inventor: Robert J. Poterala
  • Patent number: 5797172
    Abstract: Tenter frame apparatus includes an endless chain for carrying tenter clips (A) on one side of a monorail (B) for positioning a web (W) for transport on a single pair of longitudinally aligned bearings (C) carried in horizontal alignment with the web (W), and for guidance on a stationary track (D) by a wear strip (E) first opposed wear pads (F) opposite the bearings and second opposed wear pads (G) at the top of the monorail. Since the bearings (C) do not engage drive sprockets at turnarounds impact and high loads are avoided. In some applications wear strips may be substituted for the bearings (C).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1998
    Assignee: Marshall and Williams Company
    Inventor: Christopher Eugene Hosmer
  • Patent number: 5791031
    Abstract: An improved device for producing longitudinally and/or transversely drawn-out foil webs, in particular foil webs simultaneously drawn-out along two axes, is characterized in that the actual clamping means that hold the edges of the foil are held and anchored, together with the nipper carriage that carries them, by means of an overlying bridge so as to leave a gap under the bridge in the cross view. A shielding wall projects upwards into the gap. The top edge of the wall ends above the plane of the foil web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1998
    Assignee: Bruckner Maschinenbau GmbH
    Inventor: Manfred Steffl
  • Patent number: 5781974
    Abstract: A magnetic tenter lever actuating device includes a coupling rail, preferably designed in the form of a pole shoe rail (21), by means of which the end of a tenter lever (3) can be pivoted deliberately from its open into its closed position and vice versa by means of a coupling region (29) formed at the end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1998
    Assignee: Bruckner Maschinenbau GmbH
    Inventors: Jurgen Breil, Paul Lindner, Bernd Sieber
  • Patent number: 5771547
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for ejecting a loose film edge from a film stretching clip by directing a jet of fluid such as air through a channel in the clip and between adjacent clips at or before release of a film from the clip and also after release of the film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1998
    Assignee: E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: William John Hommes, Albert White Forrest, Jr., Paul G. Jennings
  • Patent number: 5768755
    Abstract: A tenter clip is fastened on a double-T web support of a film stretching machine and has a flexible, vertically clamped guide strip, against which horizontal running rollers bear. Each of these running rollers is equipped with a covering for dust protection. The tenter clip comprises a clamping body and a rolling part. The three horizontal running rollers and the vertical running roller of the clamping body are covered by a protective hood, the shape of which is matched to the geometry of the running rollers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1998
    Assignee: Hoechst Trespaphan GmbH
    Inventor: Guenter Hemmerich
  • Patent number: 5749131
    Abstract: An improved transport device for a moving material web, in particular a stretching system for plastic film webs which is in particular suitable for high circulating speeds, is distinguished by the fact that a guide rail system (3) comprising at least one guide rail (3', 3") and along which tenter elements (1) can be moved by means of a linear motor drive (5), is integrally incorporated in the relevant linear motor (5', 5"). The respective tenter element (1) is supported with respect to the guide rail system (3) by means of a sliding bearing or a combined sliding and roller bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1998
    Assignee: Bruckner Maschinenbau GmbH
    Inventors: Jurgen Breil, Manfred Steffl
  • Patent number: 5737812
    Abstract: An improved transport device for a moving material web, in particular a stretching system for plastic film webs, comprises tenter elements (1) which can be moved along a guide rail system (3) on both sides of the material web (11). In this case, on both sides of the moving material web (11), a linear motor (5', 5") and a guide rail (3', 3") are provided, preferably in each case at least above and below the moving material web (11). The sequence of the guide rails located above, in relation to the linear motor, is opposite with respect to the moving material web, to the linear motors located below and the guide rail located below. In an alternative preferred embodiment, a maximum vertical and a maximum horizontal distance (a, b) are provided between a point of intersection (S) at the clamping point of the material web (11), which distance is selected such that the tenter mounting is stressed as little as possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1998
    Assignee: Bruckner Maschinenbau GmbH
    Inventors: Jurgen Breil, Manfred Steffl
  • Patent number: 5613284
    Abstract: Tenter frame apparatus includes an endless chain for carrying tenter clips (A) on one side of a monorail (B) for positioning a web (W) for transport on a single pair of longitudinally aligned bearings (C) carried in horizontal alignment with the web (W), and for guidance on a stationary track (D) by a wear strip (E), first opposed wear pads (F) opposite the bearings, and second opposed wear pads (G) at the top of the monorail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 25, 1997
    Assignee: Marshall & Williams Company
    Inventor: Christopher E. Hosmer
  • Patent number: 5426835
    Abstract: Tenter for an endless fabric, especially for use by heat treatment as a part process in connection with manufacturing of fabric for a paper machine comprising several carriages (1) for guiding the rims of the fabric material by means of a carrier (2) for each carriage (1) which is connected with a drive chain. Each carriage (1) comprises at least one spring (4) arranged between the carrier (2) and an abutment in the carriage (1) such that the velocity of each carriage (1) substantially corresponds with the speed of the fabric rim. It also includes a mechanism for registering and monitoring the tension force in the material based on which the velocity of the drive chain and the carrier (2) is adjusted to maintain a desired velocity for the fabric through the heat treatment zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 27, 1995
    Assignee: ABB Alfsen & Gunderson AS
    Inventors: Karsten T. Neset, Helge Knutzen, Bart T. Boon
  • Patent number: 5402556
    Abstract: A tentering frame is equipped with a tentering chain for the simultaneous treatment of a film web in two directions or in a so-called biaxial manner. The film web is carried by endless tentering chains which hold the film web edges by grippers carried by tentering clamps secured to the tentering chain. The chains have tiltable chain link plates and chain links, whereby the on-center spacing between neighboring clamps is continuously adjustable or variable for changing the chain pitch. In order to reduce the normal pitch when the chain is stretched out as much as possible, and in order to achieve a more efficient pitch adjustment in a larger adjustment range, each tentering clamp is carried by a single shaft which simultaneously functions as one of the two chain pins or chain axles that link two neighboring chain links to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 4, 1995
    Assignee: Lindauer Dornier GmbH
    Inventor: Andreas Rutz
  • Patent number: 5394595
    Abstract: A thermoplastic film web is subjected to a defined shrinking in a treatment apparatus with two mirror-symmetrically arranged tentering chains. For this purpose, each chain is equipped with tentering clamps that have a variable on-center spacing or pitch in the travel direction of the tentering chains, and which additionally are position adjustable in a direction other than the travel direction. The entire clamp body or clamp elements may be position variable in a direction other than the travel direction. In operation, the pitch is first reduced in the inlet and/or heating zone of the treatment apparatus. Simultaneously, the clamping position of the individual clamps or clamping element is changed, e.g. by tilting or lifting. The clamp position change takes up extra film web length resulting from the pitch change, whereby the film web assumes throughout its width a corrugated configuration. Then, the film web is cross-stretched.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 7, 1995
    Assignee: Lindauer Dornier GmbH
    Inventor: Andreas Rutz
  • Patent number: 5390398
    Abstract: A film stretching machine is also capable of shrinking undulating film by gripping film to be treated at its longitudinal edges by pivotable clips which are disposed spaced apart on a chain conveyor and are guided in a chain conveyor guide. The film is shrunk by a longitudinal adjustment of the film areas lying between the gripping members of neighboring clips. In the apparatus, the longitudinal adjustment or shrinking occurs in that each clip is constructed as a pivoting clip and includes a rolling part on which the gripping part is mounted so as to be pivotable about an axis which is disposed parallel to the film plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1995
    Assignee: Lindauer Dornier Gesellschaft mbH
    Inventors: Andreas Rutz, Rudolf Langer
  • Patent number: 5367753
    Abstract: Tentering clamps for an endless tentering chain are formed so that two clamp bodies slideably mounted on at least one common guide bar can move toward each other and away from each other for adjusting the pitch. The guide bar or bars have entraining stop elements so positioned that an axial pulling force that moves the tentering chain, is transmitted through the guide bar or bars. The pitch is adjusted with the help of at least one, preferably two, toggle link mechanisms carrying a control roller engaging a guide rail. When the toggle links of the toggle link mechanism are straightened out in the travel direction of the tentering chain, the toggle link mechanism is substantially relieved of the axial tension force or load because the load passes through the guide bars (10) and the clamp bodies forming a pair. A plurality of such compound tentering clamp body pairs are linked by chain link plates and respective linking chain journal pins (23).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 29, 1994
    Assignee: Lindauer Dornier GmbH
    Inventor: Adolf Mueller
  • Patent number: 5355564
    Abstract: A process for longitudinally stretching a polymeric film having thickened longitudinal edges while the film is constrained in the lateral dimension by a plurality of successive pairs of grippers, the improvement comprising first guiding the film with a first group of gripper pairs having a predetermined clearance therebetween; and then gripping the film with a second group of gripper pairs with a predetermined amount of force. An apparatus for use in the process is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 18, 1994
    Assignee: E. I. Du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Jack E. Gunter, Jr., Neil I. Steinberg, John A. Stewart, III
  • Patent number: 5341547
    Abstract: A thermoplastic film stretching apparatus includes a first and a second separate transport chain system including the respective guide tracks and tentering clamps. The tentering clamps are guided without the conventional chain plate connections. The first chain transport system performs the tentering clamp transport from the inlet of the system to the setting zone of the system, where the tentering clamps are released by the first transport chain system and taken over by the second transport chain system. The transport of the tentering clamps by the second system through the setting zone, the cooling zone, and along the way to the outlet zone of the film stretcher, takes place with a smaller transport speed than that of the first transport system. The speed difference between the first and second transport chains is the measure for the film shrinkage to be imposed onto the thermoplastic film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 30, 1994
    Assignee: Lindauer Dornier Gesellschaft mbH
    Inventor: Andreas Rutz
  • Patent number: 5267378
    Abstract: Conventional clips must be manufactured with high precision and run the risk of becoming stiff in the course of time or even to become inoperative in extreme cases due to sediments in their pivoting mechanism. In order to obtain a clip which remains operational in spite of sediments and the danger of clogging and which is furthermore easy to assemble and disassemble, the clip lever is supported with a first bearing part on another bearing part on the side of the clip body, forming a kind of rocking bearing. The rocking bearing can in particular be composed of a knife-edge or rolling bearing. This clip is particularly useful for plastics stretching machines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1993
    Assignee: Bruckner Maschinenbau Gernot Bruckner GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Peter Wellenhofer, Paul Lindner
  • Patent number: 5265313
    Abstract: In order to achieve a controlled longitudinal shrinkage of a film web, an adjusting mechanism including a threaded spindle with a cross-piece is provided between neighboring clamping bodies along the tentering chain. The cross-piece is equipped with control rollers that are radially arranged around the longitudinal axis of the threaded spindle and spaced from one another by an angular spacing of, for example, 90.degree. between neighboring control rollers. The control rollers intermittently engage a control rail that has operational segments of a multiple leads screw guide track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1993
    Assignee: Lindauer Dornier Gesellschaft mbH
    Inventor: Andreas Rutz
  • Patent number: 5263235
    Abstract: A tentering machine having a compliant drive link allows for a considerable rate of stretch in a tentered fabric, web or film without the distortion or bowing frequently observed with the tentering machines of the prior art. The tentering machine includes two conveyor tracks adjacent to and facing one another, each conveyor track having a number of fabric edge holders slidingly directable thereabout. A fabric, web or film, grasped on opposite edges by the fabric edge holders, is conveyed thereby through the tentering machine in the space between the two conveyor tracks. Widthwise stretching occurs where the conveyor tracks of the tentering machine have sections on each side of the fabric which diverge from one another, while the two conveyor tracks may be parallel to each other on the two sides of the fabric in applications where prevention of shrinkage is of interest. The fabric edge holders on each conveyor track are run at a substantially common speed by drive chains.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1993
    Assignee: Albany International Corp.
    Inventors: Jeffrey B. Duncan, Alejandro Guevara
  • Patent number: 5159733
    Abstract: An improved tenter-type stretcher comprises a pair of rails which diverge from one another, a plurality of clips carried in endless chains along the rails and a device for detecting obstructions in the tenter clips, wherein the detecting device is either a mechanical arm positioned to contact and move upon encountering foreign matter in the clips or a light beam which traverses the clips, and is interrupted by foreign matter in the clips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1992
    Assignee: E. I. Du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Robert L. Fleming, Jr., Walter F. Hart, Jr., Edward V. Lindall, Jr., Ronnie D. Reid, John A. Stewrat, III
  • Patent number: 5101965
    Abstract: A tentering chain is guided between two guide rails extending in parallel to each other. One guide rail (19a) is an outer guide rail with regard to a course followed by the chain, while the other guide rail (19b) is an inner guide rail. The chain links are hinged to each other by a journal pin which carries a first guide roller on an inner pin section between chain link plates, and a second guide roller on a cranked outer pin section. Thus, the rotational axes of these two guide rollers extend in parallel to each other and spaced from each other, so that one guide roller can only contact one guide rail, but not the other and vice versa. This feature prevents the reversal of the rotation direction of the guide rollers as they travel along the parallel guide rails.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1992
    Assignee: Lindauer Dornier Gesellschaft mbH
    Inventors: Andreas Rutz, Rudolf Langer, Hans-Juergen Maierhofer, Adolf Mueller
  • Patent number: 5084949
    Abstract: A tentering chain has a continuously adjustable chain pitch for the simultaneous biaxial treatment of film webs. Tenter bodies conventionally equipped with clamps or hooks for gripping an edge of the film web are carried by the tentering chain. Guide rails operate the tenter clamps. Neighboring tenter bodies are interconnected by chain links. Each chain link is connected by a hinging connection at each end to the respective tenter body. At least one of the two hinging connections of a chain link is adjustable by a hinging bolt having an eccentric section or sections and a circular section or sections. The adjustable eccentric hinging bolts are mounted for rotation in the tenter bodies and the eccentric section engages the respective end of the chain link. For this purpose the chain link has a bore in which the eccentric section is received.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1992
    Assignee: Lindauer Dornier GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Rutz, Rudolf Langer, Hubert Becher, Klaus Buttenbender, Heinz Zeller
  • Patent number: 5081750
    Abstract: An assembly for a stretching frame has a rectangular cross section rail, a multiplicity of carriages displaceable along the rail and formed with shanks which have offset pairs of rollers engaging the surface of the rail perpendicular and parallel to the plane, and couplings on the shanks located substantially in the median plane between the surfaces of the rail perpendicular to the frame for engagement by respective transport devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 21, 1992
    Assignee: Kampf GmbH & Co. Maschinenfabrik
    Inventor: Udo Molz
  • Patent number: 5014402
    Abstract: Stenter apparatus for stretching a web to produce a relatively thin film comprises two transversely spaced endless chains one the mirror image of the other relative to the stenter center line (C--C), each chain comprising an inner feed run (9) and an outer return run (10) mounted on supports. Each endless chain is constituted by film clip holders (3) and the chain pases around end sprockets (11B, 12B). The present invention provides a means for lateral adjustment of the feed runs (9) comprising adjustment means for lateral movement of the feed run support relative to the return run support and pivoting portions (10A, 10B) in the outer run support adjacent the end sprockets (11B, 12B) to enable said lateral movement of the feed run. Consequently a major portion of the outer run support does not require to have lateral movement and can be fixed in position and this provides economies in the construction. Further, end sprockets (11B, 12B) of smaller diameter can be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1991
    Assignees: G. Bruckner GmbH, Bruckner-Maschinenbau Co. KG
    Inventor: Wallace Cunningham
  • Patent number: 4949438
    Abstract: A tenter clip is disclosed having a jaw which is pivotally mounted in an intermediate portion on an upper member of a housing which extends inwardly over a lower plate wherein repair of the wear points is facilitated by providing a central bushing pressed into the jaw for receiving a pin upon which the jaw is pivoted. An outwardly extending fixed controller is carried by a depending gripping portion of the jaw, and a transverse slot opens in a lower edge of the gripping portion removably receiving a gripping blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 21, 1990
    Assignee: Marshall and Williams Company
    Inventor: Hans H. Richter
  • Patent number: 4939825
    Abstract: A tenter frame clip which is at least partially constituted from a lightweight polymeric composite material. The clips are employed in tenter frames as components of clip-chain assemblies for grippingly engaging and advancing thermoplastic film webs, fabrics or foils through the tenter frame as the web is concurrently transversely stretched, and for the most part, are generally constituted from either cast iron or cast steel, depending upon the type and size of tenter frame may each readily weigh as much as five pounds, and even higher. The clips are usually extremely strong and tough in their construction and are each able to exert a gripping force of up to 1500 to 2500 pounds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 10, 1990
    Assignee: Mobil Oil Corporation
    Inventor: Tae H. Kwack
  • Patent number: 4896405
    Abstract: A tenter clip is illustrated having a compressible shoe having a convex lower surface horizontally disposed for presenting a maximum flat gripping area especially useful in manufacturing plastic film and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1990
    Assignee: Marshall and Williams Company
    Inventors: Robert S. Simmons, James P. Unger
  • Patent number: 4882820
    Abstract: The present tenter frame chain includes a plurality of links, each link including upper and lower interconnected loadbearing plates, and a low friction slide block sandwich between the upper and lower interconnected plates. The slde block is formed of material having a lower coefficient of friction than the interconnected loadbearing plates and includes a vertically disposed bearing surface located laterally outwardly beyond the lateral extent of one side of the upper and lower interconnected loadbearing plates. The vertically disposed bearing surface of the slide block contacts the bearing surface of the guide rail to reduce the frictional rubbing movement of the tenter chain against the vertically disposed bearing surface of each of the tenter chain guide rails as the tenter chain moves therealong.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 28, 1989
    Assignee: Gessner Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Francis X. MacKinnon, James F. Horn, John A. Pastina