Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for controlling the thickness of a coating made of a liquid film on a moving strip (3), characterized in that automated structure for reducing the gas flow at each of said nozzle sides comprise a moving carriage (10) guiding a retractable cable (9) able to be applied respectively onto and out of the gas discharge opening (4), inside the nozzle chamber (5) and in that, at each transversal side of the nozzle (1), a transition, between an external nozzle section where the gas flow is reduced and an internal nozzle section where the gas flow is not reduced, is assured by two together-moving grooved wheels or pulleys (6, 7) connected to the moving carriage (10), located side by side and having their axis perpendicular to the nozzle, so that the cable (9) is successively located against the opening (4) on an external side of the first pulley (6), between the two pulleys (6, 7) and distant from the opening (4) on an internal side of the second pulley (7).

Abstract: A device for supplying radiant energy onto a printing substrate (14), including at least one radiant energy source (10) whose light (12) impinges on the printing substrate (14) on the path (16) of the printing substrate (14) through a printing press at a position (116) downstream of at least one printing nip (18) in a printing unit. The radiant energy source (10) emits light (12) having a peak-to-valley homogeneity of less than 15% in a direction transverse to the direction of the path (16) of the printing substrate (14).

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for drying a liquid image carried on a surface of a medium moving along a predetermined path from an upstream location towards a downstream location. The apparatus includes an air moving device, such as a blower, that moves air. A plenum has an intake that receives air and an outlet permitting the air to exit the plenum. A channel structure communicates with the outlet of the plenum and is disposed generally adjacent to a surface of the medium carrying the image. The channel structure includes an upstream channel portion and a downstream channel portion such that air exiting the outlet of the plenum is diverted to flow towards the upstream location in the upstream channel portion and towards the downstream location in the downstream channel portion. A heater is associated with the medium to heat at least a portion of the medium and thus the image. A method of drying a liquid image on a surface of a medium is also provided.

Abstract: A process and device for increasing the gloss and/or smoothness of a web of material are described, whereby a web of material (5) is passed through a roller gap where it is exposed to pressure. A steam dispensing device (7) is provided upstream of the roller gap relative to the direction of travel (9) of the web of material (5). The increase in gloss and/or smoothness is to be accomplished without consuming much energy. To do so, the steam is condensed on the web of material and the web of material (5) is guided through the roller gap before the increase in moisture content of the surface due to the steam treatment has dropped below a predetermined value.

Abstract: An automated stencil dryer includes a holder mechanism for holding a stencil, a discharge mechanism for discharging air against a stencil positioned in the holder, and a driver mechanism operatively coupled to the discharge mechanism for automatically moving the discharge mechanism so that compressed air can be discharged fully across the surface of the stencil. In one embodiment, the discharge mechanism includes a pair of air knives disposed parallel to one another on opposite sides of the holder so that the stencil is between the air knives when the stencil is positioned in the holder. The air knives are oriented inward toward the stencil when the stencil is positioned in the holder so that air discharged from the air knives is directed against the stencil. In another embodiment, the discharge mechanism includes a pair of air distribution pipes disposed parallel to one another on opposite sides of the holder so that the stencil is between the distribution pipes when the stencil is positioned in the holder.

Abstract: A drying device, for use with an electrostatic recording apparatus arranged such that an electrostatic latent image of an image to be recorded is formed on a surface of a recording paper moving through a predetermined moving path and the latent image is developed by applying a liquid toner to the surface of the recording paper and for drying the recording paper after application of the liquid toner, includes an air blower or suction unit for supplying or drawing an air; and an air guiding mechanism for guiding the air from the air blower to outside or from outside to the air suction unit through an area adjacent to the surface of the recording paper, wherein the air guiding mechanism includes an air passage extending from the air blower or the air suction unit to the predetermined moving path and an opening defined between at least by a part of a side wall of the air passage and the surface of the recording paper moving through the predetermined path for allowing the air to pass therethrough to outside or the

Abstract: An apparatus for dispersing contaminants from the surface of a web moving in a processing direction within a web processing system, the web processing system including a web processing structure, the apparatus including a chill roll air bar disposed proximate to a surface of the web, for separating the contaminated air from the surface of the web before that surface of the web engages the processing structure.

Abstract: A device (1) for the hot-air drying of a printed film in a rotogravure machine, comprising a support structure (3) to house a blowing group (4) which blowing group (4) will feed hot air towards a film (2) to be dried, a plurality of pinions (5) mutually distanced and arranged along a predetermined course, aimed at favoring the introduction of the film (2), a plurality of idler running and supporting rollers (6), mutually distanced and arranged along a predetermined course, to support the film (2) and cause it to run. The said blowing group (4) is fixed and exhibits two lateral uprights (8) into which hot air is introduced, which air flows from above downwards in a plurality of blowing elements (9), mutually-distanced at a good hand's-width from each other.