Abstract: A rolling stand has a conventional housing defining a pair of parallel and spaced axes defining a plane. Respective rolls have roll ends journaled in the housing at the axes and roll bodies axially symmetrical about the respective axes and having centered on the respective axes complementary roll-body surfaces of noncylindrical shape and each formed by rotation of a continuously curved generatrix about the respective axis. One of these contoured rolls is displaceable axially relative to the other roll from an end position to another position, and the roll-body surfaces form at the plane in the other position a uniform nip and in the end position a nonuniform nip. This system is set up to be able to displace one of the rolls axially relative to the other of the rolls between the end position and the other position. These contoured rolls may themselves define the nip, or may engage and deform other rolls that define it.

Abstract: A system for the treatment of continuous metal webs facilitates both continuous annealing and hot-dip coating operations interchanging from annealing to a combined annealing and coating, and vice-versa. The system has an annealing station common to both operations as well as web feed and discharge sections and web entry storage and web discharge storage stations associated therewith.

Abstract: A band press for a moving sheet at the entry end of a rolling mill. The band press comprises upper and lower guide assemblies between which the sheet passes. Each assembly comprises a plurality of press plates which are adjustably mounted with respect to each other in a direction transverse to the direction of travel of the sheet to accommodate sheets of different widths. Means are provided for moving the outer press plates and rack and pinion drive means operatively connect the outer press plates to the remaining press plates.

Abstract: A rolling stand with hydraulic adjustment of the mill rolls comprises a hydraulic cylinder whose piston is acted upon by the adjustment spindle and whose cylinder body, in turn, bears upon the block in which the back-up or pressure roll is journaled. The sliding seal of the piston rides in a cylinder lining which is disposed in the cylinder and is sealed relative to the latter with stationary O-rings so that pressure equalization on both sides of the liner is possible, thereby preventing expansion of the line upon subjection of the cylinder to high pressures.

Abstract: Apparatus for injecting thermoplastic material including means to form a tubular stream of plastic with a central stream containing a foaming agent.