Abstract: An applicator for applying a material over a fastener head, protruding from a non-horizontal surface of a part, comprises an enclosure and a daubing lever. The daubing lever passes through the wall of the enclosure and is movably coupled to the enclosure. The daubing lever comprises an actuation end, located on the outer side of the wall of the enclosure, a working end, located opposite the actuation end on the inner side of the wall of the enclosure, and an abutment portion, located at one of the actuation end, the working end, or between the actuation end and the working end. The applicator further comprises a biaser for imparting a moment on the daubing lever to bias the abutment portion of the daubing lever toward the enclosure.

Abstract: A method of applying a material over a fastener head, protruding from a non-horizontal surface of a part, the method comprising advancing an applicator toward the non-horizontal surface, pressing a sealing rim of an enclosure against the non-horizontal surface, at least partially filling the enclosure with the material, and retracting the applicator away from the non-horizontal surface to asymmetrically distribute the material across the fastener head.

Abstract: Implants are described herein which contain an activated adhesive on at least a portion of the surface of the implant. A release sheet may be positioned over at least a portion of the adhesive. Packages which contain the implants and methods of preparing the implants are also described.

Abstract: A device and a method for specifically influencing the technological properties of individual regions of a sheet-like material are provided, including the following steps: a) fixing the sheet-like material or a pre-compacted material nonwoven or a material fiber cake on a workbench, b) placing at least one applicator on the upper side and/or the underside of the sheet-like material, the material nonwoven or the material fiber cake, c) specifically moving the at least one applicator on the upper side and/or the underside and pressing an improving medium into partial regions of the sheet-like material, the material nonwoven or the material fiber cake in a predetermined amount and under a predetermined pressure, d) optionally, subsequently pressing the pre-compacted material nonwoven or the material fiber cake to form a sheet of the desired thickness.

Abstract: A drywall tape dispenser actuated using a drill has an “L” shaped member having a top cross piece, an elongated side piece, and an elbow portion therebetween thereby forming an L-shape, a first spindle member at a bottom portion of the elongated side piece, a second spindle member at a top portion of the elongated side piece and within the elbow portion, and a third spindle member between the first and second spindle members. An active pressure roller rotatably attached to a distal end section of the top cross piece opposite the elbow portion adapted to press on a surface portion of tape passing thereby. A passive pressure roller rotatably attached to the distal end section of the top cross piece opposite the elbow portion and spaced from the active pressure roller and adapted to press on an opposite surface portion of the tape passing thereby, such that the active pressure roller and the passive pressure roller are adapted to pinch the tape passing therethrough.

Abstract: A method and device are provided for strengthening, in particular needling, a continuously fed material web (21), wherein the material web is strengthened in a strengthening zone and is drawn out of the strengthening zone by a drawing apparatus (24). At least one parameter, in particular the material speed, of the strengthened material web (21) is detected in a guiding zone arranged downstream of the fastening zone and before the drawing apparatus (24) by a measuring apparatus (22), preferably without contact, and is optionally used to control the strengthening apparatus.

Abstract: Disclosed are fiber coating sizing applicator apparatus having a member to remove unused sizing and foreign objects from the fiber coating element of the applicator on a continuous or intermittent basis. Also disclosed are sizing applicators having as part of the drive, a servo motor for reduced variation in sizing application. Unused sizing is filtered to remove foreign objects and returned the applicator right away, or stored in a temperature controlled area until ready to feed back to a sizing applicator. Also disclosed are methods of using the sizing applicator apparatus to produce sized fibers. The apparatus and methods of the invention produce a substantial reduction in the fiber break rate, sizing usage and applicator maintenance.

Abstract: A doctor method and apparatus is disclosed and includes a doctor roll (12) supported in a coater (1) suitable for applying coating to a paper web surface or a roll surface (4) for subsequent transfer to the paper web. The doctor includes a doctor roll (12), a support (11) for the doctor roll (12), a front support (3) for holding the roll support (11) and a rear support or retainer (18) cooperates with and helps stabilize the support (11) and doctor roll (12). The present invention minimizes the variation moving of the doctor roll (12) has on the coating on the moving surface (4), be it web or roll, and thus can improve coating quality.

Abstract: A method and a device for treating a web, wherein the web is coated by a coating device. The coated web is calendered, and a steam application device applies steam to the coated web before the coated web is calendered. The instant abstract is neither intended to define the invention disclosed in this specification nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.

Abstract: A method and an arrangement for treating a web (2) of paper or board is described, in which a functional coating (5) is applied to the web (2) and the web (2) is then calendered. It is wished to obtain a web provided with a functional coating in a cost-effective fashion. This is achieved through the following combination: the functional coating (5) is applied without direct contact, the web (2) is calendered online in conjunction with the application of the coating, calendering takes place in a broad nip (18) in a shoe calender (9), which exhibits a shoe roller (10) with a rotating outer cover (11) and a squeeze roller (14).

Abstract: A coating liquid application apparatus is capable of automatically and properly applying to a printed surface of a print medium a coating liquid, such as coating materials that improve weatherability of the printed surface. For that purpose, the apparatus includes a pair of rollers in rotating contact with both surfaces of the print medium, one of the rollers in contact with a printed surface of the print medium being used as an application roller, and a coating liquid supply member to supply the coating liquid stored in a coating liquid reservoir to the application roller.

Abstract: An improved film coater which utilizes one or more coater or applicators to transfer coating to the outer surfaces of at least one more rolls, which in turn transfers the coating from the roll surface to one or more sides of the web for coating paper is disclosed. The coater or applicator includes a smoothing doctor on the web and downstream of the one or more rolls, and may also utilize humidity from one of steam showers or a humidity enclosure to assist smoothing. The web may run in any direction, but preferably runs upwardly from the roll toward the doctor to reduce “film split” droplets effect. The present invention also reduces the fiber rise and arrange peel pattern on the coated web, resulting in a smooth uniform coated paper.

Abstract: A system for manufacturing a trim panel includes a plurality of rollers for routing a foam core of the trim panel along a path. A first doctor blade for applying an adhesive resin is disposed adjacent to the first side of the foam core. A second doctor blade for applying an adhesive resin to the second side of the foam core is disposed adjacent the second side of the foam core. The system further includes a mixing head having an output port. A mixing tube is attached to the output port. The mixing head defines first, second, and third distinct fluid paths for the first, second and third components, respectively. The first, second, and third fluid ports extend to the output port. In use, the system continuously monitors the actual application rate of the adhesive resin and compares this actual application rate to a desired application rate and adjusts the pump output accordingly.

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: A method of applying blend drop granules to an asphalt coated sheet includes moving an asphalt coated sheet in a machine direction, and depositing blend drops of granules on a blend drop conveyor that is positioned above the asphalt coated sheet. The blend drop conveyor has an upper flight moving in a direction opposite the machine direction and a lower flight moving in the machine direction. The blend drops are moved from the upper flight to the lower flight of the blend drop conveyor while retaining the blend drops in contact with the blend drop conveyor by magnetic force. Finally. The blend drops are released from the blend drop conveyor for contact with the asphalt coated sheet.

Abstract: A process of producing an elongated coated strip article having a layer of coating material on each opposite surface of the strip article, in which the ratio of layer thicknesses on opposite sides of the strip article may be set or varied. The process comprises simultaneously applying layers of solidifiable liquid coating materials on the opposite sides of the strip article by advancing the strip article in a direction along a path between opposed coating heads, at least one of which is a floating coating head, having material delivery slots and metering lands for delivery and metering of the liquid coating materials to the opposite surface to form the layers. The ratio of the layer thicknesses may be adjusted when required by varying the path of strip article advance between the floating coating heads to cause changes in angles formed between the strip surfaces and adjacent metering lands on opposite sides of the strip article. The invention also provides apparatus for carrying out the process.

Abstract: An apparatus for preventing drag-out is provided. The apparatus is arranged at an exit where a workpiece leaves a plating chamber. Brush members are arranged to contact both sides of the workpiece as it leaves the plating chamber. The brush members are adjustably arranged in a housing such that the angle of the brush member relative to the workpiece can be varied. A locking mechanism is provided to hold the brush member at a selected angle. The entire apparatus is adjustably inward and outward with respect to the workpiece as well as with respect to the plating chamber.

Abstract: A doctoring device for an apparatus designed to apply a liquid or viscid medium onto a moving base surface includes a metering unit having a coater rod and a coater rod bed. The metering unit is attached to the support beam and is positioned so that it can be pressed against the base surface. A pressure-elastic support arrangement is disposed between the coater beam and the coater rod bed. The coater rod bed is supported pressure-elastically by the support beam via the support arrangement in at least two support directions that are perpendicular to each other. The spring rate of the support arrangement is adjustable in at least one of the support directions. A preferred support arrangement includes pressure hoses which are assigned to each of the two support directions. The pressures in these hoses can be adjusted, independently from each other, to a pre-determined level via a pressure source.

Abstract: A method for soldering a first component having a metal surface to a second component having a metal surface includes holding the metal surface of the first component in a position above a placement area on the metal surface of the second component to establish a gap between the surfaces. The method further includes reflowing solder within the gap. A structure including a thermally conductive baseplate, an electrical insulator attached to the baseplate, and a metallic shield mounted on the insulator. The structure also includes an integrated power device having a power-dissipating electronic device, and a first metal layer connected to the shield through a solder joint. A substrate includes an aperture, and the integrated power device is mounted with the power-dissipating device sitting within the aperture. The substrate also includes a conductive run electrically connected to a second metal layer of the integrated power device.

Abstract: A coater for applying a coating medium to a moving surface includes a mounting; a coater rod bed connected to the mounting; and a coater rod carried by the coater rod bed. The coater rod is configured for applying the coating medium to the moving surface, and includes a hollow rod with a longitudinal bore interconnecting opposite ends thereof. A pair of fluid couplings are respectively attached to each end of the coater rod. Each fluid coupling has an internal fluid passage which is disposed in fluid communication with the longitudinal bore of the coater rod, whereby a thermal transfer fluid may be transported through the longitudinal bore of the coater rod.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method for the application of a liquid or pasty medium onto a traveling fiber material web. The medium is directly applied on at least one side of the traveling material web. The medium is pressed into the traveling material web after the medium is directly applied on the traveling material web.

Abstract: The invention relates to an applicator for direct or indirect application of a liquid or pasty coating medium onto a traveling material web, notably of paper or cardboard, including at least one adjustable coating edge delimiting apparatus for adjustment of a coating width on an applicator roll, backing roll and/or a traveling material web. The coating edge delimiting apparatus is arranged so as to be movable stepwise or continuously in a direction substantially transverse to the direction of travel of the material web.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a coating on the exterior surfaces of a plurality of elongate members, such as wires, including positioning a plurality of elongate members substantially parallel to each other, coating the exterior surfaces of each member with a coating, removing any excess coating from desired portions of each member and curing the coating to adhere the coating to each member.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for coating a surface of an elongated strip article, e.g. aluminum sheet, with a layer of solid polymer material. The process involves heating the polymer to produce a melt having a viscosity of at least 1000 centipoise when measured according to ASTM D4440 at 1 radian per second, extruding the melt onto a moving surface of the strip article through an elongated slot in a coating head having an extended surface adjacent to the slot arranged at an angle to the moving surface to form a coating gap converging in the direction of movement, thereby forming a coating on the strip article, and pushing the coating head towards the surface of the strip article as the melt is extruded as the coating onto the surface from the slot to reduce the coating thickness to a desired range by pressing the extended surface of the coating head onto the coating as the coating is formed.

Abstract: Apparatus for coating both opposed major surfaces of an elongated strip article with paint, lacquer, lubricant or the like, using two facing coating heads respectively having lands, between which the strip is advanced. Liquid coating material, delivered to the strip surfaces through elongated slits formed in the coating heads immediately upstream of the lands, is dragged out on the moving surfaces as layers metered between the lands and the strip. A load is continuously exerted (by devices such as air cylinders) on at least one of the lands during the coating operation for urging the lands against the applied coating layers.

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 device for applying a coating layer to a substrate web comprises an application roll for applying the coating layer to the substrate web, a counterpressure roll interacting with the application roll in order to support a substrate web passing through between the application roll and the counterpressure roll, the application roll being designed to rotate in the same direction as the counterpressure roll, so that at the position of the counterpressure roll the direction of movement of the periphery of the application roll is opposite to that of the counterpressure roll, and a metering device for applying a coating material in a layer to the application roll, which metering device comprises a rotating cylindrical screen and a squeegee disposed inside the cylindrical screen.

Abstract: A doctor blade assembly for coating a traveling web has a blade which is held against movement away from the web or a coating drum or cylinder by a pressure strip bearing with its contact edge against the doctor blade. The pressure strip can be adjusted by spaced part rods and adjusting nuts against a spring force.

Abstract: Weight of the paste (21) per area is measured continuously without contact by irradiating the belt-shaped paste-coated punched metal electrode (41) with .beta. ray (51), during running of the electrode (41) on a production line, then trapping dosage of the .beta. ray radiation transmitted through the electrode (41) by an ionization chamber (4b, 50), followed by processing the measured value in a micro-processor unit (6) on the basis of comparing with a previously determined reference value. BY means of the output signal from the processor (6), the gap of slit (24) between the blades (23a and 23b) is feedback-controlled, so as to control thickness, hence weight per unit area of the pasty mixture uniform.

Abstract: A sizing applicator with two pairs of rollers arranged in sequence with one another along the transport path of a yarn sheet can be converted, without changing the position of the pairs of rollers, between an operating mode as a pad-type sizing applicator and a squeezing-type sizing applicator. Each pair of rollers has a defined gap at a common tangent therebetween and each pair of rollers has one roller disposed at a lower elevation than the other roller of the pair. The two roller pairs are relatively arranged such that their respective common tangents intersect beneath the roller pairs approximately midway between the roller pairs.

Abstract: A spreading system or coating system, preferably for webs of paper or cardboard, with a doctor element fashioned as a doctor blade. A substrate element B to be coated serves as backing for the doctor blade secured in a mounting. A first load system is located near the (exposed) dosing edge of the doctor blade. A further load system acts on the doctor blade between the mounting and first load system. A pressure bar is fastened to the doctor blade in the area of its exposed dosing edge, preferably between 0 and 40 mm away from it, or bears on it, and the first load system acts on the pressure bar.

Abstract: A rigid metal housing is positioned downstream of a coating applicator. The housing supports a plurality of positionable contact elements formed of a low friction, high wear-resistant material, which extend inwardly from the housing to engage a slow speed rotating rod. At least one of the contact elements is adjustable to support the rod for stable rotation, and to retain an effective seal between the contact elements and the rod to thereby prevent leakage of clearing/lubricating fluid into the applied coating. The contact elements may be advanced inwardly as the elements and the rod wear, thereby extending the effective life of the rod holder apparatus. Screws may bear against a rear contact element through segmented backing plates allowing refinement of the coat weight along the width of the substrate. Furthermore, an air tube may be positioned between the housing and a rear fixture to adjust overall coating thickness.

Abstract: A coating apparatus is disclosed having a metal bath, an enclosure extending over the bath, a mandrel extending into the bath, and a gas seal mounted on the enclosure in communication with the atmosphere therein. The gas seal has a frame with a slot extending therethrough, first and second rolls aligned with the first and second ends of the slot, and a door extending between the rolls and over the seal. The door being pivotally mounted on the frame to open inwardly at the first end and outwardly at the second end.

Abstract: Device for processing a viscous fluid for finishing printing products in a finishing unit of a rotary printing press, the finishing unit having a plurality of rollers suppliable with the fluid at least at one feeding location thereof, and a plurality of cylinders suppliable with the fluid by the plurality of rollers, includes a device for collecting the fluid from the one feeding location thereof, the plurality of rollers including a metering roller engageable with one of the cylinders for feeding the fluid thereto, another roller of the plurality of rollers being in cooperative engagement with the metering roller and with the collecting device for feeding the fluid to the metering roller.

Abstract: This invention relates to fiber reinforced composite materials, and to methods and apparatus for forming such materials. The apparatus includes an impregnation chamber having an elongate impregnation passageway with an entrance end and an exit end, means for supplying a polymer material to said impregnation chamber, and means for advancing continuous filament fibers into and through said impregnation chamber, entering through said entrance end and exiting through said exit end, so that the polymer material is immersed in said polymer material. Shear inducing means is mounted in said impregnation chamber and cooperates with said fibers for imparting shear to the polymer material as it contacts the advancing fibers to enhance the wetting and impregnation of the fibers by the polymer material.

Abstract: An apparatus for and a method of manufacturing a fiber reinforced thermoplastic sheet-shaped molding including a pre-impregnating process and a final impregnating process. A sheet of thermoplastic resin and a web of reinforcement fibers are supplied through the pre-impregnating process during which the thermoplastic resin is sucked under the influence of a suction force so as to partially penetrate into interstices in the reinforcement fiber web while both are transported around and by a perforated rotary drum, thereby to form a first preformed sheet. The first preformed sheet is subsequently supplied to the final impregnating process during which an impregnating machine is employed. As the first preformed sheet is passed through the impregnating machine while compressed inwardly and heated, the thermoplastic resin is allowed to completely penetrate into the interstices in the reinforcement fiber web to complete the fiber reinforced thermoplastic sheet-shaped molding upon cooling thereof.

Abstract: There is disclosed an improved wiper head which includes a laminated wiper including a plurality of discrete layers of a fibrous material and means for bonding the layers to provide a unitary structure. A wiper holder is mounted adjacent an exit end of a tank and includes structure for supporting the wiper in a path of movement of the wire so that the wiper removes excess plating material from the wire.

Abstract: A lubricator (28) is provided to lubricate tab stock (82) prior to forming the tab stock (82) into pull tabs. The lubricator (28) comprises felt pads (36-38) for removing contaminants from the tab stock (82) prior to lubrication thereof. A hydrostatic chamber (40) receives and disperses lube (42) from a source (44). As the tab stock (82) passes through the chamber (40) the lube (42) coats the tab stock (82). Subsequently, the tab stock (82) passes through wipers (50-52) and metering rollers (58-60) to remove all but a predetermined quantity of the lube (42). A collector (70) is provided to collect any excess lube (42) and return same to the source (44) through a return line (72) thus allowing recycling of the lube (42).

Abstract: A doctor for applying material, having a pressing part (doctor body) bending elasticly in the longitudinal direction and corresponding to the application width and a row of segments for pressing the pressing part, the segments (20) are connected in link-like manner by web or holding parts (203, 29, 39, 4, 40 to 48) to a unit-forming pressing device (2) pressing at least one pressing part (3, 30, 31, 32, 36), and the segments (20) being held independently to the pressing part (3, 30, 31, 32, 36).

Abstract: A doctor for the application of fluent material to a substrate (8), such as a material web has a pressing part (3) extending in the longitudinal direction of the application apparatus (application width), which comprises a working edge (30) passing over the application width (7), an actuator on the pressing part (3) along the working edge (30) and movable by means of a magnetic field, comprising at least one electromagnet and/or permament magnet (20), which together with the pressing part (3) forms a pressing unit (4).

Abstract: A method and device for coating a web (2) of material, especially a web of paper or cardboard, traveling over a backing roll (1) wherein coating is applied to the web is excess and reduced by a flow-control component (3), especially a doctor, to the desired thickness and wherein the flow-control component is secured to a beam (5) that extends over the operating width. The coating-thickness deviation from a straight line is determined over the operating width and employed as a parameter for controlling the heat emitted by a heater (16), especially heating strips, positioned on the side of the doctor beam facing away from the backing roller.

Abstract: In a device for alternatively one- or double-sided coating of a running paper web the final evening-out of the coating is made in a smoothing nip including a first roll and a counter member. The device includes means for leading the web from below upwards into the smoothing nip. At a considerable distance before the smoothing nip, there is a coating substance applicator including an applicator chamber, where the coating substance is brought into a substantially non-pressurized contact with the running web for adhering thereto and travelling therewith upwards to the smoothing nip. The web moves linearly from the applicator to the smoothing nip.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for use in coating and possibly impregnating fabric webs with a coating compound. The apparatus utilizes a magnetic element or cylinder, located on a first side of a fabric web, to attract a magnetically attractable squeegee device, located on a second side of the fabric web, into contact with the fabric web. A second squeegee device or a cylinder is mounted against the magnetic eleemtn and is also located on the first side of the fabric web. This second squeegee device is also located such that when the first squeegee device is attracted toward and contacts the fabric web, the fabric web comes into contact with the second squeegee device, thus providing that the fabric web will be contacted on both sides with equal pressure by the respective squeegee devices.

Abstract: An apparatus for supplying liquid to an elongated liquid reservoir in a uniform manner over the length of reservoir comprises a trough, extending transversely over the width of a continuous fabric web, into which a liquid is poured from above, and a feed pipe extending longitudinally along the trough. Short, identically formed, curved tubes are uniformly distributed over the length of the feed pipe and arranged to extend transversely therefrom. The liquid is supplied over the length of the liquid reservoir from the short tubes disposed at a plurality of sites along the reservoir. The cross sectional area of the feed pipe may be significantly greater than the total cross sectional of all of the curved tubes to prevent a significant pressure drop.

Abstract: An appliance for a double-sided coating of a moving web by means of two coating substance applicators and a smoothing nip comprising a back-up roll on one side of the web and a adjustable levelling blade or the like on the other side of the web. The coating substance is supplied on the web directly on the side facing the levelling blade and on the surface of the back-up roll or the web on the other side of the web. The smoothing nip and the both applicators are located within a 30 degrees sector of the back-up roll, preferably within a 20 degrees sector.

Abstract: Apparatus is shown for mixing and dispensing an epoxy adhesive. An epoxy resin and its associated curing agent are simultaneously loaded from separate cartridges into a length of flexible PVC tubing, part of which is contained between a rotor and a stator. Bearings, mounted rotatably about the rotor, engage and travel along the tubing as the rotor is revolved, each bearing compressing the tubing at its point of engagement. The tubing, repeatedly compressed and released by each bearing in succession, kneads the epoxy resin and curing agent into a homogeneous mixture. From the tubing, the epoxy mixture is deposited on a moving carrier tape and forms a continuous bead. Downstream, a control tape is spaced apart from the carrier tape and moves in the opposite direction. As the bead encounters the control tape, the control tape removes part of the bead material from the carrier tape and plastically forms the remaining mixture into a film of a uniform thickness substantially less than the bead diameter.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for oscillating the ink form rollers and dampening form roller in a lithographic printing press to apply a smooth, relatively uniform coating of ink to the ink-receptive areas of a lithographic printing plate and to prevent ink from being transferred from the dampening form roller to the ink-rejecting areas of the printing plate. The ink form rollers and the dampening form roller are each comprised of a hollow cylindrical metal core surrounded by a rubber covering. First and second bronze bushings are partially inserted into the hollow core at respective opposite ends of the roller. Each roller is mounted on a shaft rotatable about its own axis. The shaft has first and second shaft keys for mating with complementary first and second keyways formed in the respective first and second bushings to allow the bushings to engage the shaft for common rotation while allowing the roller and bushings to slide axially with respect to the shaft.

Abstract: An apparatus for coating a vertically travelling web comprises a vertical coating chamber defined by the web, a pair of side walls, a back wall spaced from the web, and a flexible blade applied against the web and forming a top closure of the coating chamber. There is a back-up member at the opposite side of the web forming a coating nip together with the flexible blade, through which nip the web passes. A slot at the bottom of the coating chamber forms a web entrance of the coating chamber. The width of the slot and the supply of coating substance to the coating chamber are so adapted to the speed of the web and to the viscosity of the coating substance, that only a small amount of coating substance flows downwardly through the slot during normal operation of the apparatus. The side walls of the coating chamber provide means for substantially closing the coating chamber.

Abstract: A hot knife coater comprises a pair of thicknesser blades defining between them a thicknesser gap through which a web to be coated passes. Each blade is connected to a downwardly depending mid-portion of a blade support by means of a number of longitudinally spaced blade holders. This minimizes bowing of the blade supports as a result of heat conducted to the blade supports from the respective blades. The blade holders connecting one of the blades to the respective blade support are adjustable so as to permit local adjustment, in the region of each blade holder, of the gap. Each blade support is mounted so as to be pivotal about a longitudinally extending pivot axis and is biased by a spring against a stop. This permits automatic opening of the gap to let a seam in the web through the gap, thus eliminating the need for operator intervention.

Abstract: A toning system for an electrostatic copying machine capable of developing a latent charge image carried therepast on an electrophotographic member moved through an endless path including an arcuate section. A rotary magnetic brush is journalled for rotation on an axis parallel to the arcuate section. A toner layer is applied to at least a portion of the circumference of the brush and brought into engagement with the electrophotographic member at the arcuate section. A hopper carries a quantity of toner and a cylindrical formation is connected to the bottom of a hopper carrying a quantity of toner and spaced from and encompasses all but a segment of the volume occupied by said brush. The hopper has a wall which provides a bottom edge spaced from the surface of said brush to form a metering blade adjacent said segment.