Abstract: A heating system for heat treating a continuous sheet-like material includes an input end and an output end and a path defined therebetween that extends between the input and output ends for the material to be treated. At least one section of the heating system includes an upper movable heater and a lower stationary heater disposed on confrontingly opposite sides of the material path. A heater lifter is connected to the movable upper heater for operatively displacing the upper heater between a first position for imparting a curing type of heat treatment and a second position for imparting an annealing type of heat treatment to the continuous sheet material as it is advanced through the heating system.

Abstract: A nozzle box assembly for use in apparatus for supporting and guiding a horizontally moving web of sheet material comprises an elongated housing defining an elongated, first chamber which extends centrally and axially of the housing. Second and third chambers are located on opposite sides of the first chamber and extend parallel thereto. The second and third chambers each include an elongated discharge nozzle slot extending parallel to the first chamber and discharging on opposite sides of a Coanda surface. Pressurized gas is supplied to the first chamber and a first and a second plurality of flow openings in the housing respectively act to conduct gas from the first chamber to the second and third chambers in a particularly uniform manner. First and second independently operable valves are mounted in the housing for controlling gas flow through the first and said second plurality of flow openings to thereby control flow to the second and third chambers and from the discharge nozzle slots.

Abstract: A nozzle box assembly for use in apparatus for supporting and guiding a horizontally moving web of sheet material comprises an elongated housing defining an elongated, first chamber which extends centrally and axially of the housing. Second and third chambers are located on opposite sides of the first chamber and extend parallel thereto. The second and third chambers each include an elongated discharge nozzle slot extending parallel to the first chamber. Pressurized gas is supplied to the first chamber and a first and a second plurality of flow openings in the housing respectively act to conduct gas from the first chamber to the second and third chambers in a particularly uniform manner. First and second independently operable valves are mounted in the housing for controlling gas flow through the first and said second plurality of flow openings to thereby control flow to the second and third chambers and from the discharge nozzle slots.

Abstract: An apparatus used in the treatment of a sheet of metal without the aid of conventional sprays and flooding nozzles normally used in the application of the metal treating liquid and support rollers and squeeze used for contacting and guiding the sheet of metal through successive baths of the metal treating liquid and preventing the carryover of liquid between the treatment tanks of the apparatus. In the apparatus, a sheet of metal is guided in a horizontal pathway between successive treatment tanks or units having horizontally elongated chambers with two rows of oppositely disposed and horizontally aligned nozzles between which the sheet of metal travels on a liquid bed that is created by the nozzles which are designed to direct streams of liquid, under pressure, against the traveling metal sheet at angles that are substantially less than 90.degree. relative to the plane in which the metal sheet travels.

Abstract: Apparatus including a plurality of pressure pads arranged in two series thereof at opposite sides of a web path and constructed with openings for discharging a gaseous medium against opposite sides of a web advanced along the path. The openings are of types and sizes which enable the two series of pressure pads to dispense the gaseous medium in a manner which achieves good heat transfer but avoids substantial variation in velocity and pressure as measured transversely of the web path in the impingement of a gaseous medium on the web.