Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing a three-dimensional ordered porous microstructure. In the method of the invention where the three-dimensional ordered microstructure is produced using the colloidal crystal templating process, the three-dimensional ordered microstructure thus formed is subjected to heat treatment to soften the particles, so as to effectively increase the contact between orderly arranged particles while removing the solvent used to suspend the particles. The present invention further relates to a monolithic column produced thereby. Compared to the monolithic columns produced by conventional methods, the monolithic column according to the invention is characterized in having a higher aspect ratio and a higher pore regularity, while the connecting pores in the column are relatively large in pore size.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device for spreading an adhesive on a film, including at least a first metering roller and at least a second metering roller, which rotates in contact with an adhesive, the surface of the first metering roller being spaced from the surface of the second metering roller by a gap so that a portion of the surface of the second metering roller is coated with a uniform layer of adhesive, and a regulating device for moving at least the first metering roller with respect to the second metering roller to vary the width of the gap, wherein the regulating device is controlled by a control unit, the control unit being configured to control the position of the first metering roller and to regulate the width of the gap as a function of geometric and/or dimensional parameters of the first metering roller.

Abstract: Provided are a molten metal plating facility and a method with which degradation in the surface quality of a strip can be prevented by preventing the adhesion of splashes.

Abstract: Provided is a method of continuously annealing a strip. The method includes: firstly heating a strip in a first heating zone; firstly cooling the firstly heated strip or maintaining the firstly heated strip at a constant temperature in a first cooling or constant temperature maintaining zone; secondarily heating and soaking the strip, firstly cooled or remaining at the constant temperature, in a second heating and soaking zone; and secondarily cooling the strip, secondarily heated and soaked, in a second cooling zone.

Abstract: A steel-strip production apparatus adapted to produce a hot-dip-plated steel strip and a cold-rolled steel strip includes a continuous annealing furnace, a snout connected to the continuous annealing furnace, a contact-type seal plate device and a noncontact-type seal roll device, a hot-dip-plating tank that is movable, and a roll configured to turn the path direction of the steel strip after passing through the snout, wherein a hot-dip-plated steel strip production unit configured to produce a hot-dip-plated steel strip by bringing the steel strip continuously annealed in the continuous annealing furnace into the hot-dip-plating tank; and a cold-rolled steel strip production unit configured to produce a cold-rolled steel strip by transferring the steel strip continuously annealed in the continuous annealing furnace without causing the steel strip to pass through the hot-dip-plating tank, are configured to be switchable with one another.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of production of hot dip galvannealed steel sheet with excellent workability compared with the Sendzimir method or non-oxidizing furnace method and further with excellent powdering or slidability, that is, a method of production of hot dip galvannealed steel sheet with excellent workability, powdering, and slidability characterized by processing a slab containing, by mass %, C: 0.01 to 0.12%, Mn: 0.05 to 0.6%, Si: 0.002 to 0.1%, P: 0.05% or less, S: 0.03% or less, sol. Al: 0.005 to 0.1%, and N: 0.01% or less and having a balance of Fe and unavoidable impurities by hot rolling, pickling, cold rolling, then annealing at 650 to 900° C., cooling to 250 to 450° C., holding at said temperature range for 120 seconds or more, then cooling to room temperature, pickling, preplating Ni or Ni—Fe without intermediate temper rolling, heating by 5° C./sec or more down to 430 to 500° C., galvanizing in a galvanization bath, wiping, then heating by a rate of temperature rise of 20° C.

Abstract: A device and a method for manufacturing an item of packaging for a group (27) of smokable articles (11), in particular cigarettes, having a wrapping, preferably an inner wrapping, of, in particular, a thin packaging material, such as paper, tinfoil or the like, in which a material web (31) of the packaging material is severed into individual blanks (10) and in which the article groups (27) to be wrapped are in each case wrapped with the individual blanks (10). Flavoring and/or aromatic portions (42) for the smokable articles are applied to the packaging-material web (31), which flavoring and/or aromatic portions (42), after application, are at least in regions reduced in their height by a processing means, preferably in that they are spread flat and/or pressed flat by the processing means (47).

Abstract: A fixing member is provided, including a release layer containing a tetrafluoroethylene-perfluoroalkyl vinyl ether copolymer (PFA), wherein a content of the perfluoroalkyl vinyl ether (PAVE) based on all PFAs in the release layer is 3.0 mol % or more and 5.8 mol % or less, and an elastic layer having an indentation elastic modulus EITs at a surface thereof and an indentation elastic modulus EITc at a position in a depth of 50 ?m from the surface, EITs and EITc being measured at a temperature of 150° C., and EITs is larger than EITc and EITc being 17 MPa or more and 24 MPa or less.

Abstract: An embedder for embedding specimens in paraffin wax includes: a body having a paraffin reservoir for containing the paraffin wax; and a mobile dispenser disposed on the body, capable of being taken off from the body, and defining an inlet and an outlet, the inlet being communicated with the paraffin reservoir via a connecting tube so as to supply the paraffin wax in the paraffin reservoir to the mobile dispenser via the connecting tube, the mobile dispenser dispensing the paraffin wax via the outlet. With the embedder according to embodiments of the present invention, by means of the mobile dispenser detachably connected with the body, the embedder is flexible to use, convenient to operate, and high in efficiency.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method for pressing roofing granules into a roofing membrane may include providing a roofing membrane and applying roofing granules atop a surface of the membrane. The method may also include adjusting a position of a second roller relative to a first roller so as to vary an amount of contact between the membrane and the first roller and pressing the roofing granules into the membrane via the first roller. In some embodiments, a line speed of the membrane may be determined and a contact value may be calculated based on the line speed of the membrane. The contact value may represent an effective amount of contact between the membrane and the first roller. The position of the second roller may be adjusted so that the amount of contact between the membrane and the first roller corresponds to the effective amount of contact.

Abstract: A method and an arrangement are disclosed for transferring electrically conductive material in fluid form onto a substrate. Said substrate is preheated to a first temperature, and of said electrically conductive material there is produced fluid electrically conductive material. The fluid electrically conductive material is sprayed onto the preheated substrate to form a pattern of predetermined kind. The substrate onto which said fluid electrically conductive material was sprayed is cooled to a third temperature, which is lower than the melting point of said electrically conductive material.

Abstract: A manufacturing method for a tampon having an absorbent body that absorbs liquid includes obtaining the absorbent body by compressing and shaping an absorbent-body material, and applying a melted agent to an outer surface of the absorbent body, the outer surface having a temperature lower than or equal to a freezing point of a main ingredient of the agent.

Abstract: Apparatus for producing a gloss watermark on a receiver includes a rotatable fixing member surfaced in a selected region so that the surface roughness of the fixing member in the selected region is different than the surface roughness of the fixing member outside the selected region. A heater heats the fixing member or the receiver. A rotatable pressure member is arranged to form a fixing nip with the fixing member. A drive rotates the fixing member or the pressure member to draw the receiver through the fixing nip after the fixing member or receiver is heated. Marking material on the receiver flows and acquires a gloss in a differentiated region on the receiver corresponding to the selected region of the fixing member that is different than the gloss of the marking material outside the differentiated region to create the gloss watermark on the surface of the marking material.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for applying fluid media to material that is moved in a web-like manner, in particular for applying hot-melt adhesive (4) to a textile material, and in particular for reinforcing the back of a carpet or a synthetic turf (1), comprising a gap-shaped application region (3), for the medium (4), which extends transversely to the web direction and is delimited in the transport direction of the web (1) by a trailing doctor blade (7) facing the surface of the web (1). According to the invention, a smoothing contour (8) cooperating with the applied medium (4) is provided downstream of the doctor blade (7) in the transport direction of the web (1).

Abstract: An apparatus can be used to apply and remove fluid substances for processing biological samples. The fluid substances can be delivered between a first substrate and a second substrate. One substrate carries a specimen. A layer of the fluid substance is retained in a gap defined by the first and second substrates. One substrate is moved with respect to the second substrate to disperse the fluid substance in the gap.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus of the present invention is used for the high-rate deposition of materials, such as carbon, silicon, metals, metal oxides, and the like, onto a metal substrate defined by a metal tape. The particles of the material are mixed with fluid and are injected against the metal tape at high pressure and high velocity. The particles of the material form a current collection surface of the metal tape. The metal tape is used as cathode or anode combined with a separator to form a fuel cell of a secondary battery, metal-ceramic membranes, film composite metal-ceramic materials for electronic devices.

Abstract: An activator means for use in activating or re-activating adhesive and sealant compositions that have been pre-applied to a bonding surface prior to mating said bonding surface said means having a plurality of features for directly acting upon the pre-applied composition.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a carbon ribbon for covering in a thin layer of semiconductor material, and to a method of deposited such a layer on a substrate constituted by a carbon ribbon. At least one of the two faces of the carbon ribbon is for covering in a layer of semiconductor material by causing the ribbon to pass substantially vertically upwards through a bath of molten semiconductor material. According to the invention, the two edges of at least one of the two faces of the carbon ribbon project so as to form respective rims.

Abstract: A liquid wiping apparatus that can eliminate the increase in the thickness of membranous liquid and defects in the surface quality resulting from the attachment of splash onto the surface of a metallic strip and can improve the productivity in a manner of accelerating the line speed is provided. The liquid wiping apparatus includes blade wipers for contacting with a molten metal having been attached onto the metallic strip 1 to mechanically wipe the molten metal. In the liquid wiping apparatus, a pressure applying unit 7 of the static pressure pad type using gas is installed at the outlet side of the blade wiper 6 in the strip running direction, and phase-mixed flow of gas/liquid 15 is produced in membranous liquid running between the blade wiper 6 and the strip 1.

Abstract: A method of masking cooling holes of a turbine component, in particular a turbine blade or vane, for a coating process is provided. The component includes an external surface to be coated, at least one internal cavity having an opening towards the outside of the component, and cooling holes extending from the at least one internal cavity to the external surface. The method comprises the steps of: filling the cooling holes with a masking material and hardening the masking material. The masking material, water, is used to fill in the cooling holes. The hardening is done by freezing the water to water ice. A method of coating an external surface of a turbine component and a device for use in a masking process for masking cooling holes in a turbine component are also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing a molten zinc coated steel sheet includes a molten zinc coating device, a temper rolling mill, an acid solution contacting device, and a cleaning device connected in tandem, wherein the acid solution contacting device and the cleaning device are separated from each other with a region therebetween and an absolute humidity controller is disposed in the region between the acid solution contacting device and the cleaning device.

Abstract: In the present invention, a holding table incorporating a heater is provided, for example, in a treatment container of a planarization unit. A pressing plate having a lower surface formed flat is disposed above the holding table. The pressing plate is movable in the vertical direction and can lower to the holding table to press a resist film on the substrate from above. The pressing plate intermittently presses the upper surface of the resist film to planarize the upper surface while the heater is heating the substrate on the holding table at a predetermined temperature to dry the resist film. According to the present invention, a coating film applied on the substrate can be sufficiently planarized and dried.

Abstract: A method is provided for forming coatings on stents. The method comprises applying a coating composition to the stent; followed by terminating the application of the coating composition; followed by inserting a temperature adjusting element within the longitudinal bore of the stent to change the temperature of the stent.

Abstract: A printing press is provided. The printing press includes at least one printing unit for printing a web-shaped printing material and a device for applying a liquid mixture of a silicone oil concentrate and at least water to the web-shaped printing material. The device includes reservoir for the silicone oil concentrate, a supply source for the water, a mixing tank for the silicone oil concentrate and the water, an applicator for transferring the liquid mixture onto the printing material. The applicator has at least one container for the liquid mixture. The device also includes a buffer tank for the silicone oil concentrate separate from the mixing tank. The buffer tank receives the silicone oil concentrate from the reservoir. The printing press also includes a cooling roll for the web-shaped printing material.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for coating adhesive surfaces of fixing elements with a hot-melt adhesive, and to a device for carrying out said coating method. Base surfaces (5) of recesses (2) are formed by tappets (6), whereby the lateral walls thereof are displacably guided in the recesses (2). A displaceable container (9) which is used to fill up the adhesive powder in the recesses (2) is arranged next to the recesses (2). The side edges (10) of the container (9) cover a working plate (1). A slit (11) which is used to receive the securing element (4) is arranged on the other side of the recesses (2), said slit being provided with continuous holes (12) for the tappets (6). A pressure stamp (13) provided with a pressure plate (14) which is lowered onto the securing element (4) is arranged over the recesses (2). A heating station (15) which is used to heat the securing element prior to heating the recesses (2) to the desired heating temperature is arranged at a distance from the slits (11).

Abstract: A cooling system and method for a paper coating device, especially for cooling a coating blade of the coating device and a coating color to be coated on paper web, whereby a streaking and/or bleeding phenomena caused by accumulation of the coating color at the end of the coating blade are effectively inhibited. The cooling system comprises a cooling means equipped at a back surface of the coating blade, interconnecting hoses for communicating coolant to the cooling means, a circulating unit, and a heat-exchanging unit.

Abstract: A device and a method for the manufacturing of a three-dimensional object (3) by solidifying of layers (25, 26) of a powder material at locations corresponding to the respective cross-section of the object (3) is provided. The device comprises a recoater (24) for applying the layers of the powder material (27) in the building area (5) which is moveable across the building area (5). The recoater (24) is designed with a rigid blade (21a, 21b) which is rigidly connected to the recoater (24). For preheating the powder material (27), the recoater (24) is provided with a heating device (20, 23) which is at least partially integrated into the recoater. In this way it is possible to preheat the powder already during or prior to applying it as a layer and thereby shortening the whole building time for the three-dimensional object (3).

Abstract: A liquid wiping apparatus that can eliminate the increase in the thickness of membranous liquid and defects in the surface quality resulting from the attachment of splash onto the surface of a metallic strip and can improve the productivity in a manner of accelerating the line speed is provided. The liquid wiping apparatus includes blade wipers for contacting with a molten metal having been attached onto the metallic strip 1 to mechanically wipe the molten metal. In the liquid wiping apparatus, a pressure applying unit 7 of the static pressure pad type using gas is installed at the outlet side of the blade wiper 6 in the strip running direction, and phase-mixed flow of gas/liquid 15 is produced in membranous liquid running between the blade wiper 6 and the strip 1.

Abstract: An image formation apparatus that has a fuser roll/belt in pressure contact with a pressure roll that forms a nip, a meter roll that receives a release agent, a donor roll in press contact with the meter roll and is disposed between the meter roll and the fuser roll/belt to transport the release agent from the meter roll to the fuser roll/belt, a metering blade disposed adjacent to the meter roll that regulates an amount of release agent on the surface of the meter roll, and a smoothing/camouflaging device in contact with a surface of one or more of the fuser roll/belt, the meter roll and the donor roll, that smoothes/camouflages a non-uniform application of the release agent.

Abstract: Apparatus for configuring an externally coated workpiece are provided. In one example, the apparatus includes a tubular reconfiguration chamber having a plurality of slidably mounted outer walls, the outer walls slidably mounted along individual radial lines emanating from and orthogonal to the central longitudinal axis of the tubular reconfiguration chamber; and a device for adjusting and maintaining the temperature of the external coating of a work-piece located within the tubular reconfiguration chamber.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a temperature of a microelectronic substrate. In one embodiment, the apparatus can include a substrate support configured to engage and support the microelectronic substrate. The apparatus can further include a temperature controller having one or more thermal links coupled directly with the substrate when the substrate is supported by the substrate support. The thermal links can maintain thermal contact with the substrate when the substrate is either stationary or mobile relative to the temperature controller. The temperature controller can heat or cool different portions of the substrate at different rates with one or more of several heat transfer devices, including liquid jets, gas jets, resistive electrical elements and/or thermoelectric elements.

Abstract: Apparatus for configuring an externally coated workpiece are provided. In one example, the apparatus includes a tubular reconfiguration chamber having a plurality of slidably mounted outer walls, the outer walls slidably mounted along individual radial lines emanating from and orthogonal to the central longitudinal axis of the tubular reconfiguration chamber; and a means for adjusting and maintaining the temperature of the external coating of a work-piece located within the tubular reconfiguration chamber.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and system for processing a semiconductor device, the semiconductor device comprising at least two gate stacks and a spacer gap. The method and system comprise utilizing a spin-on technique at the transistor device level to provide an oxide spacer in the spacer gap and then curing the semiconductor device at a temperature above approximately 450° C. Through the use of a system/method in accordance with the present invention, the voids that are created in the spacer gaps during conventional semiconductor processing are eliminated. Furthermore, the oxide spacers posses the high quality characteristics that are typically provided through the use of the conventional CVD methodology. Accordingly, as a result of the use of the system/method in accordance with the present invention, the MOSFET oxide spacers are strengthened, which increases the reliability of the semiconductor device.

Abstract: A substrate coated with a coating solution is placed on a heating plate in a processing chamber in which an inert gas is circulating. The substrate is heated on the heating plate while the inert gas is circulating at an extremely small first circulating amount. The substrate is heated further on the heating plate while the inert gas is circulating at a second circulating amount larger than the first circulating amount. Detected is the density of the solvent in the processing chamber. The supply and exhaust amounts of the inert gas are controlled based on the density detected after the start of heating, so that an exhaust amount of the inert gas becomes a predetermined amount for a predetermined period until the solvent density reaches a predetermined density. A necessary control process is performed so that the solvent density reaches the predetermined density when the solvent density has not reached or exceeded the predetermined density after the predetermined period has elapsed.

Abstract: A process and apparatus, including a separate coating head, for coating a strip article with a coating material. The process involves coating a strip article with a film of coating material by passing the strip article through a coating apparatus having at least one floating coating head provided with a coating face facing and extending laterally across a surface of the strip article to be coated. The coating head exudes a coating material and floats on the coating material as it meters the coating to a film of the desired thickness. The coating face of the coating head has a preferred coating profile between its opposite ends, and wherein distortions of the preferred coating profile during coating of said strip article are substantially prevented by modifying heat flux to or from selected parts of the coating head to compensate for distortions caused by differences of temperature within the coating head. The apparatus provides means of modifying heat flux to prevent such distortions of the coating profile.

Abstract: An apparatus applies a liquid or viscid coating medium onto a moving material web, especially one made of paper or cardboard. A coating mechanism first applies the coating medium onto an applicator element or an applicator roll, which subsequently transfers the coating medium at a coating location onto the material web in the form of a coating layer. Furthermore, if so desired, a doctoring device can be positioned at a doctor station, adjacent to the coating location, on the downstream side relative to the movement of the material web for the purpose of smoothing and/or metering the coating. The coating apparatus incorporates an apparatus for the generation and/or supplying of a fluid, preferably steam. This apparatus is positioned adjacent to the coating location or to the doctor station on the downstream side relative to the movement L of the material web.

Abstract: A device for dosing and distribution of hotmelt on a substrate is provided. The device includes substrate throughput means, hotmelt supply means, at least one hotmelt application position with a stencil, hotmelt distribution means and a squeegee device. The hotmelt distribution means includes a hotmelt dispensing nozzle. A dosing unit and drive means for moving the dosing unit to and fro along said squeegee device are also provided. The hotmelt dispensing nozzle is fitted on the movable dosing unit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a temperature of a microelectronic substrate. In one embodiment, the apparatus can include a substrate support configured to engage and support the microelectronic substrate. The apparatus can further include a temperature controller having one or more thermal links coupled directly with the substrate when the substrate is supported by the substrate support. The thermal links can maintain thermal contact with the substrate when the substrate is either stationary or mobile relative to the temperature controller. The temperature controller can heat or cool different portions of the substrate at different rates with one or more of several heat transfer devices, including liquid jets, gas jets, resistive electrical elements and/or thermoelectric elements.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a casting apparatus for formation of a resin-made membrane which is made to be capable of accomplishing a stable pressure reduction through a suction chamber irrespective of the dimension of an interval between a die and a cooling roll. Thus, in the apparatus according to this invention, a suction chamber is disposed independently of a die and is located to define a necessary seal gap with respect to a cooling roll. Further, a circumferentially moving mechanism is provided to shift the suction chamber along the circumferential directions of the cooling roll while maintaining the necessary seal gap. This invention is applicable, for example, to a biaxial oriented film machine, a non-oriented film machine, a sheet machine, and others.

Abstract: Apparatus for selectively providing textured handling hazard resistant clear marking particles coatings to photographic elements on an elongated web transported along a travel path from a supply roller to a take-up roller. The apparatus includes a device, located in operative association with the web travel path for applying a clear marking particle coating to the web. A heated fuser roller and a mechanism, such as a pressure roller providing a nip relation with the fuser roller for travel of the web through the nip, are located relative to the web travel path to fuse the clear marking particle coating to the web. At least one heated, textured roller, is located downstream of the fuser roller relative to the web travel path facing the photographic elements on the web.

Abstract: A free turning chilling wheel assembly for use with a hot melt dispenser affording quick disassembly for cleaning, inspection, repair or replacement, and having an outer ring with an inner bronze bearing to rotate about a stationary inner cooling chamber, which is sealed to avoid wear and leaks. The outer ring is chilled by fluid flowing through the chamber and the sides of the outer ring are shielded by shielding washers to avoid adhesive building up on the bearing surfaces and ends.

Abstract: A coating device is provided for coating particles of a particulate coating composite consisting of particles of resin and particles of an offset preventing agent having a higher melting point than that of the resin on a paper substrate. A pair of rollers are provided to be contacted with each other for fixing the particulate coating composite on one of surfaces of the paper substrate. The particulate coating composite and the paper substrate are heated from one of the rollers, The heating temperature is set to a value which is higher than a melting point of said resin and lower than a melting point of said offset preventing agent.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making masking tape is provided. A hot melt or thermoplastic adhesive having no added foaming agents, blowing agents, or surfactants is applied to a paper backing having a moisture content, wherein the adhesive is at a temperature near or below the boiling point of water. The adhesive-coated tape is then advanced to a heating device and heat is applied thereto such that the moisture present in the tape is vaporized and dispersed throughout the adhesive to give the adhesive a foam-like quality.

Abstract: For efficient waxing of the running surface of a workpiece such as a snowboard, one or more skis, or a toboggan, the invention provides a single wax-heating element in the form of an elongate flexible sheet sized to fully cover the running surface when upside down and horizontally oriented. The single sheet of the heating element also provides articulating connection between an array of like transverse elements which gravitationally load the heating element sheet into self-adapting conformance with flat and convexly curved features of the workpiece, so that a wax-laden sheet draped over the running surface of the workpiece can be gravitationally loaded by the heating element sheet.

Abstract: A coated paper comprising a paper substrate, a pseudo-boehmite layer formed on the substrate and a silica layer laminated on the pseudo-boehmite layer, said coated paper having a 60.degree. specular glossiness of at least 30% as stipulated in ISO 2813.

Abstract: A method and apparatus that prevents premature drying of a layer of a water-based coating composition on a substrate are disclosed.

Abstract: A liquid applying member and a tool are provided. The liquid applying member includes an applying roller which can stably apply an unstabilizing liquid to a transfer paper. The tool is referable for manufacturing the applying roller. A large number of recess portions independent from each other are provided on a circular circumferential surface of the applying roller for applying the unstabilizing liquid which unstabilizes an attachment state between the toner and the transfer paper to the transfer paper having a toner image formed thereon. The recess portion can be formed by pressing the rotating tool constructed with a roller member made of a material harder than that of the surface portion of the applying roller and provided with projecting portions formed on a circular circumferential surface thereof, so as to engage with the recess portions having a target shape of the applying roller to the raw material of the applying roller.

Abstract: A coated film is peeled and removed on a resin product by rollers. Each roller has a different rotational speed and applies a shear slipping stress between the coated film and the resin material to peel the coated film from the resin material. The apparatus includes cooling device for cooling one of the rollers by feeding coolant through a passage formed in the roller so as to reduce adhering the coated film to the roller surface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for depositing solder on the terminal pads (10) of printed circuit boards (12) in which a solder resist layer (16) or layers (16, 17) having a thickness corresponding to the desired solder height border the pads. Molten solder from a reservoir (58) is directed by nozzles (72) against the sides of the board (12) to fill the cavities extending above the terminal pads while the board (12) is moving via a conveyor mechanism relative to the reservoir (58). The cavities when filled with molten solder are covered by a suitable element such as a flexible belt (52) or roller. The molten solder within the covered cavities is then cooled below its solidification point and the covering element removed. If desired, part or all of the solder resist layer (16) or layers (16, 17) may then be stripped from the board (12) to leave solder pads extending above the surface of the board (12).

Abstract: An offset printing apparatus has a fluid-cooled nip roll which, in use, presses a hot, rapidly moving, endless printed and dried web into intimate contact with the first downstream chill roll while avoiding damage to the web, nip roll, or chill roll, and while avoiding ink picking by the web surface contacted by the nip roll. Employing the nip roll in the system also permits the use of a substantially shorter dryer and fewer chill rolls as compared to a conventional system operating at the same web speed. A coolant circuit for the nip roll preferably includes a warmup loop which temporarily circulates warm fluid through the nip roll when the system is first taken off-line, thereby preventing condensate formation or frost formation on the nip roll.