Abstract: A running web of thermoplastic material is uniformly relaxed across its width by monitoring the tension in its marginal sections and by adjusting the corresponding heaters adjacent the path of the marginal sections. The median section of the web is relaxed in response to generation of a signal which denotes the tension profile across the entire web and is obtained as a result of the processing of signals which denote the monitored tension in marginal sections of the web. Those sections of the web wherein the tension is higher are heated less intensively than the sections wherein the tension is lower.

Abstract: A running strip-shaped substrate of paper or thermoplastic material is provided with several layers of adhesive or other coating material at a transfer station where it comes in contact with discrete layers of coating material which are supplied by individual belt conveyors and are heated during travel with the respective conveyors to promote the expulsion of solvent which is gathered by individual streams of an inert gas flowing counter to the direction of travel of the layers with the conveyors. The layers are heated by the respective conveyors each of which is heated by a discrete heating device.

Abstract: Apparatus for threading the leader of a flexible web through a coating, drying or other processing machine has an elongated steel strip which is adjacent the path of movement of the web through the machine and one side of which is overlapped by an inflatable hose. The leader of the web is separably coupled to a follower by a wire or cord, and the follower tracks the strip and simultaneously overlies and deflates a portion of the hose. The hose is connected with a source of compressed air, at least at one side of the follower, so that when the source admits compressed air into the hose, the latter is inflated and propels the follower along the strip. The follower has a smooth-surfaced slightly convex first roll which overlies and deforms the adjacent portion of the hose, and a flanged second roll which engages the strip opposite the hose so that the strip and the hose are located between the two rolls.

Abstract: Apparatus for regulating the flow of a fluid from a supply conduit at one end of an elongated housing to a nozzle having one or more orifices extending longitudinally of the housing has a partition which is installed in and divides the interior of the housing into a first compartment receiving fluid from the conduit and a second compartment communicating with the orifice or orifices of the nozzle. Two marginal portions of the partition are adjacent the bottom wall of the housing at opposite sides of the nozzle and define with the bottom wall a number of paths in the form of passages and/or channels for the flow of fluid from the first compartment into the second compartment. The inclination of the marginal portions of the partition relative to the bottom wall of the housing is adjustable by hand or by one or more motors to thereby select the rate of fluid flow along the respective path or paths.

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.