Patents by Inventor Mika Vähäkuopus

Mika Vähäkuopus has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Coating station
    Patent number: 7029532
    Abstract: A coating station, which in intended for coating a web with a coating material, includes a load-bearing and cross-directional frame extending substantially across the entire width of the web. The coating station also includes applicator elements supported to the frame. The frame is arranged by at least one cross component formed out of sheet metal into a box-type structure, the cross component extending substantially across the entire width of the web. The cross component is attached to the end components by its end parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: Metso Paper, Inc.
    Inventors: Leo Kurkinen, Vilho Nissinen, Mika Vähäkuopus, Risto Väätänen
  • Apparatus for preventing the direction of a harmful jet from a spraying nozzle on a web
    Patent number: 6709516
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an assembly and a method for preventing the spray emitted by a spraying nozzle (1) from reaching the surface of a paper web, said nozzle (1) being disposed at a distance from the surface of the paper web to be coated and further being directed toward said web surface to be coated. To in front of the spray emitted by the nozzle (1), between the spray and the paper web, there is adapted a movable baffle (2, 6) serving to prevent the spray from reaching the surface of the paper web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: Metso Paper, Inc.
    Inventors: Mika Vähäkuopus, Vilho Nissinen
  • Spray-coating method and spray-coater
    Patent number: 6627261
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for coating a moving paper web (2), in which method the web (2) to be coated is passed to a coater station and the coating is applied to at least one surface of the moving web (2) by means of spraying nozzles (1) disposed in the interior of an enclosing hood (9). The web (2) is supported noncontactingly by means of air jets directed toward at least one side of the web (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Metso Paper, Inc.
    Inventors: Mika Vähäkuopus, Vilho Nissinen, Seppo Luomi
  • Nozzle apparatus in a spray coating station and a method for changing the mouthpiece
    Patent number: 6260767
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a nozzle device for use in a spray coating station designed for coating a paper or board web, said device comprising a nozzle device body (1), a replaceable nozzle piece (2) and clamping member and actuator (3,4) suited to lock said nozzle piece (2) to said nozzle device body (1). New nozzle pieces (2) are stored in a nozzle replacement apparatus (5,6) which facilitates rapid replacement of an in-use nozzle piece (2). In the replacement operation, the clamping member and actuator (3,4) serving to lock said nozzle piece (2) are first actuated in order to release said nozzle piece whereafter the worn nozzle piece (2) is removed with the help of transfer member (6) and a new nozzle piece (2) is moved to the nozzle device, and finally said new nozzle piece (2) is locked by said clamping member and actuator (3,4) to said nozzle device body (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Assignee: Valmet Corporation
    Inventors: Vilho Nissinen, Jukka Linnonmaa, Mika Vähäkuopus