Abstract: A stage apparatus in which a rectangular substrate which is levitated over a stage is transferred such that a pair of sides of the rectangular substrate are substantially parallel to a transfer direction and the other pair of sides of the rectangular substrate are substantially perpendicular to the transfer direction. The stage includes a plurality of gas spray ports to spray a gas and a plurality of suction ports to attract the rectangular substrate by suction. The rectangular substrate is levitated at a predetermined height from the surface of the stage in a substantially horizontal posture by means of suction of a suction mechanism through the plurality of suction ports and gas spray of a gas spray mechanism through the plurality of gas spray ports.

Abstract: A web coating machine for coating a web of material having first and second faces and a web travel path, the web coating machine including a tension zone in a portion of the web travel path, a fixed port structure over which the web travels, and a web positioning device including at least one gas flow port in the port structure capable of generating a vacuum that brings the first face of the web of material into contact with a portion of the port structure immediately surrounding one of more of the gas flow ports and reduces, retards or arrests longitudinal travel of the web of material through the web coating machine.

Abstract: A dryer assembly for drying a liquid ink image formed on a substrate comprising a housing defining a portion of a sheet moving path; a plenum positioned within the housing, the plenum including air flow and outlet means contiguous to the plenum permitting forced air to exit the plenum, the outlet being in the form of a plurality of moving openings adapted to direct flowing air through the openings to the liquid image, the openings moving relative to the image; and a substrate transport device for moving the substrate carrying the liquid ink image on a front side thereof through the housing and under the plurality of moving openings. The dryer assembly has particular use in an ink jet printing system.

Abstract: A bi-component link for making a modular papermaking fabric has a link base component capable of interconnecting to at least one other link and a surface plate component attached to the link base forming a paper support surface. Each component is made through molding techniques to have predetermined characteristics such as open area, permeability, surface finish, etc. The surface plate component is attached to the link base component for combined effect on fabric characteristics. A papermaking fabric is constructed from a plurality of interconnected bi-component links and has predetermined permeability established by the combination of a pattern of open and contact areas on each component of each link.

Abstract: An apparatus for draining liquid drops from a tentering oven is described, which comprises a plurality of plenum ducts for heating and cooling a film and a tenter for stretching the film. The tentering oven has at least two partition walls between the heating and cooling zones of the oven and wherein each of the partition walls located above the tenter is fitted with a pan and a heater for heating the pan at the lower part thereof, with a blower being installed above the compartment defined by the partition walls.

Abstract: A web threader assembly comprises at least one flexible stainless steel belt to which the leading edge of a web can be detachably affixed. The belt is conveyed through a web path extending through the dryer or other machine in which the web travels, is guided by a plurality of pulleys and tensioning devices, and is positively driven through the dryer or other web processing machine by its own drive system. The belt is extremely thin and thus permits tight sealing of the dryer or other machine requiring a threading operation and also requires no lubrication, and also can be easily cleaned and thus can be used in sterile environments. If the threader is to be used with a relatively wide web, two spaced apart belts are preferably provided and connected threader bar to which the web is attached. An electronic control system monitors operation of the threader assembly and terminates operation of the threader assembly upon breakage or jamming of the web or the belt.