Running Length Work Patents (Class 118/123)
  • Patent number: 5607728
    Abstract: An apparatus for coating a web by contact with a transfer roll partially immersed in a reservoir of coating material and rotated into resin-transferring contact with the web on a first main web surface thereof. The web in passage away from the transfer roll is contacted on a second main surface of the web, the second main surface being opposite the first main surface of the web, by a medial main cylindrical portion of a stepped squeegee roll comprising a medial main cylindrical portion of a first relatively smaller diameter, and marginal shoulder portions each of a second relatively larger diameter in relation to the diameter of the medial main cylindrical portion. The stepped squeegee roll is tensionally biased toward, but in spaced relationship to the transfer roll, being maintained in tensionally biased relationship by spring or other tensionally biasing means, to limit the coating material thickness on the web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 4, 1997
    Assignee: Loctite Corporation
    Inventors: Jonathan W. Bremmer, Martin C. Cosgrove, Bernard M. Malofsky
  • Patent number: 5601868
    Abstract: An apparatus for continuously applying a coating to a running web, includes an elastic doctor blade having first and second ends, a frontal side adapted to be oriented towards the web and a reverse side opposite the frontal side and adapted to be oriented away from the web. The apparatus further has a clamping device firmly holding the doctor blade by engagement therewith in a zone of the first end. The clamping device positions the doctor blade for contacting the web at the second end along a scraping line. The apparatus also has an inflatable actuator engaging the reverse side of the doctor blade between the clamping device and the first end of the doctor blade. The actuator has a pressurized state in which a surface portion of the actuator is enlarged by an inflating fluid towards the reverse side of the doctor blade for pressing it against the web. A fluid pressure source is connected to the inflatable actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 11, 1997
    Assignee: TZN Forschungs- und Entwicklungszentrum GmbH
    Inventor: Norbert Gerhardt
  • Patent number: 5597415
    Abstract: A metering device for use in a coating apparatus for coating a moving web running over a backing member wherein the metering device includes a metering blade having an edge disposed in close proximity to the web and a profiling device for selectively changing the profile of the blade edge. The profile bar is joined to a plurality of adjustment actuators by bar limiter elements that are mechanically interlocked such that the movement of each limiter element relative to an adjacent limiter element in the direction of bar deformation is limited to a maximum distance. The edges of adjacent limiter elements are provided with interfitted projections and slots with sufficient clearance to permit only limited relative movement of adjacent limiter elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 28, 1997
    Assignee: Voith Sulzer Paper Technology North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Edwin X. Graf
  • Patent number: 5556467
    Abstract: This invention relates to a method and assembly for loading the doctor blade of a doctoring unit used, e.g., in coating a paper web, characterized in that the blade can be loaded close to the edge of the blade without compromising the accuracy of blade profile control. The blade is loaded by backing member (8) having a Z-shaped cross section in which one side of the section forms a base (13), while the middle part forms a waist (18) which turns toward the base (13), and the other side of the shape forms a tip (12) pointing to an opposite direction relative to the base (13) and has at its end a tapering edge suited for pressing against the doctor blade (7). This approach is capable of eliminating the sliding movement of the backing member (8) relative to the blade which tends to impair the accuracy of blade pressure control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1996
    Assignee: Valmet Corporation
    Inventors: Jukka Koskinen, Aaron Mannio
  • Patent number: 5536312
    Abstract: A doctor device, notably for machines used to coat paper or cardboard, with a relatively bendable, flexible doctor element fitted in or on a separate holder. At least along its length in the holder, the device features a convex crowning of its working surface about its longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1996
    Assignee: Voith Sulzer Papiermaschinen GmbH
    Inventors: Zygmunt Madrzak, Bernd Kaufmann
  • Patent number: 5534063
    Abstract: An apparatus capable of surely removing a toner or similar image forming substance stably cohered to a sheet, and an apparatus for processing a sheet are disclosed. A liquid supply unit uniformly supplies a liquid to a toner carried on the sheet. The sheet infiltrated with the liquid is heated by a toner removing unit to have to the toner thereof softened. As a result, the toner adheres to the surface of an offset member implemented as a belt or a drum. The sheet containing the liquid therein is conveyed to the toner removing unit without creasing, breaking or folding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1996
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tooru Maruyama, Iwao Takahashi, Masatoshi Saito, Shigeru Fujita, Hisao Watanabe, Taro Terashi, Tomoaki Sugawara, Masaru Shinkai, Toshiyuki Kawanishi, Masato Igarashi
  • Patent number: 5527410
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for winding a cord continuously. A rotation of a winding bobbin around which a cord to be a tension member of a belt and so on is wound is detected directly or indirectly. A cord is forwarded in an axial direction of a winding bobbin at a pitch, which corresponds to a diameter of the cord, in relation to a rotation of a winding bobbin. And a bobbin axis of the winding bobbin is rotated at a constant speed by rotation driving means so that the cord is wound around the winding bobbin. The rotation of the bobbin axis is detected by rotation detection means directly or indirectly. The cord is forwarded in the axial direction of the winding bobbin in relation to the rotation of the winding bobbin at a pitch which corresponds to the diameter of the cord by receiving signals from the rotation detection means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1996
    Assignee: Bando Chemical Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshiharu Taniguchi, Takaaki Ueda
  • Patent number: 5514416
    Abstract: A cross flow knife coater includes a coating station through which a surface passes and a trough which extends transversely across the desired width of the coating. The trough has an opening through which coating fluid exits onto the surface without using a slot, and first and second transverse ends. The coating fluid is fed directly into the trough at a first transverse end, and is moved from the first transverse end of the trough, across the trough, and toward the second transverse end to cause the coating fluid to flow across the width of the trough while coating fluid exits the opening. The coater creates a spiral flow of coating fluid across the width of the trough which carries debris, bubbles, and other undesirables across the trough to a second traverse end where they can be vented. The perpendicular distance between the trough opening and the surface, and likewise between the knife and the surface, can be adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1996
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Kai Grimmel, Klaus Schmehl, Mark R. Strenger, Norbert J. Wallraff
  • Patent number: 5503674
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1996
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Gunther Hofmann, Rudolf Leib
  • Patent number: 5498287
    Abstract: An apparatus for supporting a fluid and tape to be dispensed for sealing seams of wallboard panels comprising a bucket adapted to support a roll of tape and a quantity of a blending fluid; support mechanisms including a central shaft formed of two co-axial parts with a spring urging the parts axially outward thereof, a pair of upper bosses secured to the interior surface of the side wall of the bucket adjacent to the upper edge thereof with apertures receiving the opposed ends of the support rod and with the roll of tape supported at the central extent of the support rod; a guide rod rotatably secured in a lower extent of the bucket, the guide rod having opposed ends, a pair of lower bosses secured to the interior surface of the side wall of the bucket adjacent to the lower edge thereof with apertures receiving the opposed ends of the guide rod, the guide rod positioned to receive and guide tape extending from the support rod; and a slot in a generally horizontal orientation positioned through a lower extent
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 12, 1996
    Inventor: Ronald Barnfield
  • Patent number: 5496434
    Abstract: A method of forming a continuous structure includes the steps of preselecting a liquid reactive resin forming material, a particulate solid additive material and a porous blanket. The additive particles are mixed with the liquid resin forming material substantially continuously in a proportion significantly greater than that of the liquid resin forming material. Substantially all of the additive particles are encapsulated with the liquid resin forming material to a preselected thickness. A pool of the resulting mixture is formed on the blanket. The blanket is advanced at a rate sufficient to create movement of the additive particles within the pool and maintain the additive particles in suspension. Part of the liquid resin forming material is migrated through the blanket substantially uniformly prior to gelling of the liquid resin forming material to form a continuous resin matrix within the blanket. Also, apparatus forming the structure as well as the structure itself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 5, 1996
    Inventor: LeRoy Payne
  • Patent number: 5480486
    Abstract: A backing bar assembly has a plurality of positively positionable backing bar units which are retained within an inverted U-shaped housing by semi-cylindrical lifters which are adjusted by adjustment screws connected to the housing. Each backing bar unit has concave end surfaces which face the adjacent backing bar units. A pair of backing bar units is engaged by the semi-cylindrical convex surfaces of a lifter and may thus be vertically positioned by rotation of the adjustment screw. By adjusting two backing bar units at a single screw, dramatic discontinuities between backing bar units are avoided. An inflatable resilient seal is engaged by all the backing bar units and extends between the units and the blade to transmit force to the blade to retain it in a desired position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 2, 1996
    Assignee: Beloit Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: James R. Burns
  • Patent number: 5453128
    Abstract: An arrangement for dosing with a blade, in coating machines or similar, onto a running web of paper or cardboard carried by a roll in or with the arrangement. The blade is forced by means of a hold-down or several hold-down sections on the roll respectively the web. A transmitter transmits light, notably laser light. The blade features in the area between the contact line of the hold-down on it, and its contact line on the roll respectively the web, on its side away from the roll, at least one light-reflecting layer for reflection of the light ray directed by the transmitter at the layer. A receiver registers the position or angle of the ray reflected upon it by the light-reflecting layer of the blade. A controller is provided for controlling, dependent on the position signal of the receiver for the reflected light ray, the angular position of the blade, notably in its area between the contact line of the hold-down or the hold-down section and the roll.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 26, 1995
    Assignee: J. M. Voith GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Kustermann, Sergio Giuste
  • Patent number: 5449525
    Abstract: A method for producing a magnetic recording medium while minimizing electrostatic charge buildup on the medium during production. The method comprises applying a liquid material over a surface of a moving web to form a continuous wet coating thereon and smoothing the wet coating with a flexible blade having two major surfaces. The flexible smoothing blade comprises a conductive layer and is positioned so that a portion of one major surface is in contact with the wet coating so that electrostatic charge on the coated web is continuously dissipated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 12, 1995
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: David J. Lundberg, David R. Boston, Delbert L. Olson, William L. Kausch
  • Patent number: 5447747
    Abstract: A wet gravure coating of fine magnetizable particles can be smoothed by a rectangular piece of flexible film that is secured at one end in flat jaws of a clamp to leave its opposite end free to drag against the coating, thus causing the flexible film to form an arc between its secured end and the convergence of the flexible film with the wet coating. The jaws also secure a flat plate which has a straight edge that deflects the arcuate portion of the flexible film toward the coating along a line extending transversely across the full width of the flexible film. The plate can be repositioned during the smoothing to adjust the radius of curvature of the arc in order to correct any defects that may appear in the smoothed coating. When the backing web is wide and is advanced at economically high speeds, the free end of the flexible film can be tensioned so that its trailing edge becomes bowed and in contact with the coating over its full width.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 5, 1995
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: John D. Munter, Donald M. Lewis, Scott D. Stenstrom
  • Patent number: 5445673
    Abstract: A dosing system with a doctor element fashioned as a doctor rod, for the coating of material webs which are passed over at least one roll coordinated with the doctor element. The doctor element is accommodated in a bed supported by a holder of integral design with the bed and held on the wall of a mounting which at the same time is a bounding wall of the mouth channel for the coating mixture. The holder features on its end on its side opposite the mounting wall a clamping or mounting surface. The holder possesses in the end area of the mounting wall bounding on the feed channel a jump in thickness. On its side opposite the said clamping or mounting surface, a protuberance is provided with a bevel which with the bounding wall of the holder contained on the side opposite the clamping or mounting surface forms an angle between 15.degree. and 55.degree., which bounding wall surface is flush with the surface of the mounting wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 29, 1995
    Assignee: J. M. Voith GmbH
    Inventor: Richard Bernert
  • Patent number: 5436030
    Abstract: A fountain applicator for applying coating liquid onto a web of paper carried past the applicator, has a coating liquid flow path that includes a curved surface along which a sheet of the coating liquid is flowed to subject the sheet to centrifugal force to cause air entrained in the coating liquid to move away from one side of the sheet that is toward the curved surface, so that the one side is relatively free of entrained air. After being flowed along the curved surface, the sheet of coating liquid is directed toward the web in a free standing jet curtain of coating liquid, to contact the web surface primarily with the one relatively air-free side of the coating liquid sheet to decrease the occurrence of skip coating on the web surface, especially when the web is traveling past the applicator at high speeds. The coating is applied in excess onto the web surface and is metered and leveled to a desired coat weight by a downstream doctor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1995
    Assignee: Consolidated Papers, Inc.
    Inventor: Wayne A. Damrau
  • Patent number: 5433781
    Abstract: A spreading device for the coating of moving material webs, especially paper or cardboard includes a clamping mechanism adapted to alternatively hold a doctor rod support bed or a coating blade, a pressing tube for pressing a doctor rod mounted on the doctor rod support bed onto a counter roll or a material web guided by a counter roll, and a profile strip having a tip portion adapted to press against a coating blade, the profile strip movable in a direction transverse to the counter roll by a displacement device. A plane defined by a pressing force through a contact region of the pressing tube and the doctor rod support bed and a plane defined by a pressing force through a contact region of the profile strip and the coating blade are disposed transversely with respect to a length of the counter roll and are either parallel or disposed at an acute angle to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 18, 1995
    Assignee: J.M. Voith GmbH
    Inventor: Richard Bernert
  • Patent number: 5421887
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for sequentially applying a predetermined amount of adhesive to a series of sheets of insulation having a frame with a conveyor mounted at one end, a magazine adapted to maintain and dispense sheets of insulation, one at a time onto the conveyor, a floating adhesive dispensing hopper is positioned adjacent to the conveyor, and a sheet stopping mechanism located on the other side of the hopper at the opposite end of the frame. In operation, a plurality of sheets of insulation are loaded into the magazine, dispensed onto the conveyor one at a time, then driven by the conveyer under the floating adhesive dispensing hopper which applies adhesive to the entire width of the sheet of insulation as the sheet passes under the hopper. The stopping mechanism beyond the hopper stops the movement of the sheet of insulation by deactivating the conveyor until the sheet with the adhesive applied thereon is removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 6, 1995
    Inventor: Karl Guddal
  • Patent number: 5368644
    Abstract: This invention relates to a mechanical solution applicating device and method for cleaning and/or lubricating a raw stock material as it is being fed to a production machine or station. The applicating device is in the form of a holding tank having a reservoir portion for containing a supply of treating solution. Disposed within the reservoir portion and separated from the treating solution is a bathing tank through which the raw stock material is fed and treated. The feed of the raw stock material is utilized to effect rotation of a scoop wheel which scoops the treating solution out of the reservoir portion and into the bathing tank where the raw stock material is bathed or coated with the treating solution as it is fed therethrough. The rotation of the scoop wheel is effected by a driving wheel journaled thereto disposed in driving relationship with the raw stock material being fed through the bathing tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 29, 1994
    Inventor: Cruz Delgado
  • Patent number: 5330574
    Abstract: An electrode forming apparatus comprises a recovery blade for collecting electrode paste on the bottom surface of a dipping vessel toward a first end of the dipping vessel and a levelling blade for levelling the electrode paste, being collected toward the first end, toward a second end of the dipping vessel for adjusting the same to a constant film thickness. The recovery blade and the levelling blade are supported by a blade support frame, which is horizontally reciprocated with respect to the dipping vessel. The recovery blade is vertically moved by a cylinder, while the vertical position of the levelling blade is finely controlled by a levelling control motor. Thus, the film thickness of the electrode paste can be accurately adjusted with excellent repeatability, thereby carrying out homogeneous electrode application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 19, 1994
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tadahiro Nakagawa, Shizuma Tazuke, Mitsuro Hamuro, Hirokazu Higuchi, Katsuyuki Moriyasu, Akihiko Takahashi
  • Patent number: 5330575
    Abstract: A trough having an upstream end and a downstream end removably carrying an applicator roller rotated by driving means and a scraper bar, the scraper bar upstream of and adjacent the applicator roller, and a pressure area downstream of the applicator roller. A lid hingedly coupled to the trough, carrying an outfeed roller downstream of the scraper bar for guiding wallpaper over the applicator roller and the scraper bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 19, 1994
    Assignee: Blackhawk Metal Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert N. Poole, Daniel L. Poole
  • Patent number: 5328510
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing a paper product having a surface with enhanced gloss. The method includes the following steps: applying a continuous layer of an impressionable coating material to a paper product; contacting the layer of coating material with a polymer release film having a smooth and glossy surface substantially free of defects, the surface having non-adhering and release characteristics; and solidifying the coating material during contact with the release film. Using this technique, a smooth and glossy surface of the release film is substantially imparted to a surface of the layer of solidified coating material. In the case of clay-coated substrates, the coating is solidified by heating, whereas in the case of polyethylene-coated substrates, the coating is solidified by cooling. The end product is a coated substrate in which the coating has a glossy surface to which the texture of a film has been imparted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1994
    Assignee: International Paper Company
    Inventors: Leroy C. Hofmann, Robert W. Hicks, Jasper H. Field
  • Patent number: 5316584
    Abstract: A coating blade adjustment system with a blade which on its one end is retained in a mounting and supported between this mounting and its working edge by one or several support elements. Between the support edge of the support element(s), in the area within or on the support elements, there is at least one measuring sensor provided for measuring the spacing of the blade from the measuring sensor for a precision adjustment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 31, 1994
    Assignee: J. M. Voith GmbH
    Inventors: Manfred Ueberschar, Sergio Giuste
  • Patent number: 5316588
    Abstract: A spray applicator apparatus and method for applying material to tubing and cold roll formed sections in a closed environment includes foam rubber wipes which are secured at the entrance and exit openings for the tubing. The wipe at the entry opening serves to remove particles and the wipe at the exit opening services to equally disperse excess material on the tubing. Within the enclosure are atomizing spray nozzles which apply material to the outer surface of tubing. The material may be applied to tubing during in-line processing, before the tubing is cut or sectioned, and the wipes may be replaced while tubing extends through the enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 31, 1994
    Assignee: AMCOL Corporation
    Inventor: James E. Dyla
  • Patent number: 5284516
    Abstract: A doctoring apparatus includes a doctor blade defining a width and thickness. A support beam supports the doctor blade. A blade mounting includes at least one clamping part for clamping the doctor blade. The clamping part provides flexible mounting of the doctor blade in a transverse direction to the doctor blade and generally rigid mounting of the doctor blade in a direction corresponding to the doctor blade width.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 8, 1994
    Assignee: J. M. Voith GmbH
    Inventor: Ralf Sieberth
  • Patent number: 5281435
    Abstract: A metal strip (4) is continuously coated with a thermoset resin based paint by passing it through a pre-heating furnace (5) wherein it is raised to a pre-heat temperature of from 100.degree. to 210.degree. C., then through a coating applicator (6) wherein a solid, substantially solvent free block (11) of the paint composition is pressed against the strip (4) at a substantially constant pressure of from 10 to 100 kilopascals to cause a liquid layer (13) of the paint composition to be deposited on the strip, then through a roll type smoothing device (18) to smooth and spread the layer and doctor it to thickness, then through a curing furnace (8) to thermoset the layer, and finally through a quenching bath (9).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 25, 1994
    Assignees: John Lysaght (Australia) Limited, Taubmans Property Limited
    Inventor: Udo W. Buecher
  • Patent number: 5269846
    Abstract: A deflection-compensated doctor blade beam of a coater used for coating web materials. The doctor blade beam comprises a box-section frame (3), together with a holder (2) of the doctor blade (8), and a support tube (4) placed inside the frame (3). The support tube (4) is backed against the frame (3) preferably with three asymmetrically placed compensating elements (5), which advantageously are pressurized hoses. The deflection of the doctor blade beam is accomplished by varying the volume of the compensating elements (5) through pressure alterations in the elements. A displacement of desired direction can be achieved by differentially pressurizing the three compensating elements (5). By using this apparatus, the deflection of the doctor blade can be compensated to full straightness. The compensating system is controlled with the help of a feedback loop using data from a direct measurement of beam deflection, or alternatively, from the coat thickness profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1993
    Assignee: Valmet Paper Machinery Incorporated
    Inventors: Juhani Eskelinen, Risto Makinen, Markku Jarvensivu
  • Patent number: 5242498
    Abstract: A web coater is provided with a doctor blade having an active edge or tip engaging the web at a predetermined position. The force applied by such active edge is adjusted by movement of jaws gripping the opposite edge of the blade. The jaws are moved along a curve empirically established to maintain the active edge of the blade in a predetermined fixed position during the adjustment. The angle of incidence of the active edge of the blade relative to the web is also maintained constant by pivoting a blade supporting frame about an axis coincident with the active edge. A controller is supplied with empirically established data developed by utilizing test blades to establish polynomial formulas having constants corresponding to each of the various blades intended to be used by the coater. The controller also automatically compensates for blade wear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1993
    Assignee: The Kohler Coating Machinery Corporation
    Inventors: Herbert B. Kohler, Michael L. Schmidt
  • Patent number: 5230737
    Abstract: The wallpaper pasting apparatus characterized in that the wallpaper pasting apparatus is provided with a pasting roller and a pressing guide for pressing the wallpaper against the upper surface thereof, by a plurality of levelling plate means having edge wavy grooves for adjusting the thickness of the paste layer transferred onto the wallpaper.This apparatus has a simple structure and a light weight, and permits easy and accurate adjustment of the thickness of the paste layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1993
    Assignee: Kyokutosanki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshinari Takada, Yusuke Yokota, Arata Koroyasu, Yasuaki Matsui
  • Patent number: 5176775
    Abstract: This invention relates to composite materials formed by thermoplastic materials reinforced by fibers, and to methods and apparatus for forming such materials, where the thermoplastic and fiber components are such as to impart to the composite materials enhanced strength as compared with materials made previously to this invention. An important distinguishing characteristic of the disclosure is that advancing heated fiber is directed to move in one direction and while a flow of heated thermoplastic material is directed to move in a direction opposite to and in intimate impregnating enclosure of the advancing heated fiber, so that shear forces arising between the advancing heated fiber and the directed flow of thermoplastic material promote wetting and impregnation of the fiber by the thermoplastic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1993
    Inventor: Lawrence V. Montsinger
  • Patent number: 5153033
    Abstract: A coating system for applying a coating solution to a web includes a coating device for applying the coating solution to the web as it moves past the coating device, a doctor blade having a curved end face which corresponds to the curved configuration of the web as it moves past the end face. The end face of the doctor blade serves to scrape off any excess amount of coating solution applied to the web by the coating device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1992
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Norio Shibata, Hiromu Ueha
  • Patent number: 5134958
    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).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1992
    Inventor: Johannes Zimmer
  • Patent number: 5119755
    Abstract: A doctor is provided on a coating device and is fashioned as an oblong doctor bar which from the cross section, transverse to its longitudinal expanse, features an irregular cross section and a coating surface of bow-shaped design which is provided with grooves, as dosing grooves, which extend crosswise or perpendicular to the longitudinal expanse of the bar. The grooves flatten out from their bottom toward the leaving edge of the doctor bar by 10 to 25%, preferably in bow-shaped fashion. Furthermore, they widen in this area making the ribs provided between the grooves disappear. The doctor bar consists preferably of oxide ceramic material, or features on its coating surface a layer from such material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1992
    Assignee: J. M. Voith GmbH
    Inventor: Rudolf Beisswanger
  • Patent number: 5073219
    Abstract: In a process for mass producing optical storage sheets, an elongate film of a liquid crystalline material is fed lengthwise along a path through an aligning gate. The aligning gate applies to successive areas of the film a field which aligns the molecules. The field may be an electric field and/or a shear field. An aligning layer, such as a surfactant layer may also be used for alignment of the film areas. The aligned film may then be cut into pieces for use as microfiches or microfilms. The film material is preferably a liquid crystal polymer material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1991
    Assignee: The General Electric Company, p.l.c.
    Inventors: Ciaran B. McArdle, Michael G. Clark, William R. Beck, Carolyn Bowry
  • Patent number: 5035196
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the tilt angle of a doctor blade (12) includes two support blocks (2) of a doctor blade supporting beam (7), a first actuator (3, 4) by which the supports (2) are movable about on their bearing points (1), a blade supporting beam (7) pivotally mounted between upper parts of the support blocks (2) having a doctor blade (12) attached to the beam, and a second actuator (11) by which the blade supporting beam (7) is movable about on its pivoting point (8) in order to control the tilt angle and loading of the blade (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1991
    Assignee: Valmet Paper Machinery Inc.
    Inventor: Aaron Mannio
  • Patent number: 4960068
    Abstract: An open-ended cylindrical housing (50) with a slot (52) extending along one side contains within its bore first and second roller guides (54, 56) each having a longitudinal extending V-shaped groove (58) in an outer surface. The housing and included roller guides are located as a unit within an adhesive recovery tube (62) having a slot (66) along one side. In use, a fiber (18) with adhesive on its surface moves along the V-shaped grooves. Adjustment of the V-shaped groove aperture existing at the facing roller guide ends is accomplished by relative roller guide rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 2, 1990
    Assignee: Hughes Aircraft Company
    Inventor: Daniel K. Schotter
  • Patent number: 4940013
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 10, 1990
    Inventor: Johannes Zimmer
  • Patent number: 4913084
    Abstract: What is disclosed is a coating machine for paper and like materials wherein the coating machine has as its novel feature a pneumatically controlled knife blade assembly which allows for the coating of thin, uniform coatings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 3, 1990
    Inventor: Ronald P. Seymour
  • Patent number: 4907529
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the tilt angle of a doctor blade comprising two support blocks for a doctor blade supporting beam, a first actuator by which the supports are movable about their bearing points, a blade supporting beam pivotally mounted between upper parts of the support blocks having a doctor blade attached to the beam, and a second actuator by means of which the blade supporting beam is movable about its pivoting point in order to control the tilt angle and loading of the blade. In accordance with the invention, the first actuator is arranged to rest against a guiding surface of a guiding cam permanently arranged to the pivoting point of the blade supporting beam. The arrangement in accordance with the invention provides a simple and reliable method for blade angle control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 13, 1990
    Assignee: Valnet Paper Machinery Inc.
    Inventor: Aaron Mannio
  • Patent number: 4903632
    Abstract: A coating device for coating moving material webs running over a backing roll has a front wall, coating element, and side seals cooperating to provide a sealed application space for the material web near the backing roll, which application space is preferably at a pressure above atmospheric pressure and has a coating mixture flowing therein from a chamber. A baffle connected to the front wall provides a run-out gap therebetween and cooperates with the backing roll to provide a hydrodynamic pressure gap at the material web run-in side, such that coating mixture from run-out gap is entrained by the speed of the material web for reintroduction to application space through hydrodynamic pressure gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 27, 1990
    Assignee: J. M. Voith, GmbH
    Inventor: Hans-Peter Sollinger
  • Patent number: 4870920
    Abstract: A bar with two surfaces, a first that unifies, and a second to smooth a layer of liquid coating on a support transported past the bar. Recessed grooves of different types are present on the bar to unify the coating layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 3, 1989
    Assignee: Konishiroku Photo Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Kageyama, Makoto Yoshida
  • Patent number: 4796557
    Abstract: A vibration damper for use with an apparatus for applying liquid to both sides of a running web and then drying the web with an air drier. Vibrations induced by the air drier are damped by uniformly blowing air on both sides of the running web between the drier and the liquid application heads. Preferably, the gas ejection surfaces are stepped or tapered so allow larger vibration near the drier but to reduce the allowed vibration nearer the liquid application heads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1989
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Norio Shibata, Tsunehiko Sato, Hideo Takeda, Naoyoshi Chino
  • Patent number: 4753190
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing elastomer coated bias fabric are disclosed wherein the fabric is conducted in a horizontal path as it is transversely stretched and coated with an elastomeric composition; using an externally driven roll coater, the elastomeric composition is applied to one surface of the fabric from where it is forced through the interstices of the fabric to the opposite surface whereby both surfaces of the fabric are coated with elastomeric composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1986
    Date of Patent: June 28, 1988
    Assignee: Dayco Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Delmar D. Long
  • Patent number: 4738877
    Abstract: A coating material is transferred to the surface of a spreader-roll from a spreader-mechanism. The spreader-roll is partly wrapped by a strip of material. In the location where the said strip of material is lifted off the spreader-roll, a doctor-element, comprising a doctor-blade, is arranged to rest tangentially on the spreader-roll. The doctor-element thereby forms a rubbing distributing surface which faces the strip of material and ensures a smooth and uniform coating of the coating material on the strip of material. The strip of material is then carried away over a sharp tear-off edge on the doctor-element at an angle of less than 20.degree.. In this way a coating of any desired thickness may be applied to a strip of material, more particularly as a coating for a strip of paper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 19, 1988
    Assignee: J. M. Voith, GmbH
    Inventor: Franz Krautzberger, deceased
  • Patent number: 4728387
    Abstract: An embodiment assembly for the impregnation of a continuous length of fibers comprises a convex surface and a non-convex surface over which the length of fibers is drawn under tension. The pressure of impingement on the surfaces alternately separates and consolidates the fibers in sequence during their impregnation with the resin, to obtain a complete and homogeneous impregnation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 1, 1988
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: William Hilakos
  • Patent number: 4677002
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for applying a smooth uniform coating to a web (W) having variations in thickness and density and surface irregularities is disclosed. The invention includes a vertical floating pressure table (B) which supports the traveling web (W) against a transfer roll (20) and a scrape blade (46). Coating material (C) metered by a doctor blade (34) is applied to the transfer roll (20) at (40) and then applied to the web in a uniform layer (78). The pressure table (B) is supported against the web by a counter-balancing linkage arrangement (D) which maintains a constant uniform pressure on the table (B) and web (W) regardless of the vertical movements of a table platform (60) in response to web variations an irregularities. A smooth uniform coating (80) is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1986
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1987
    Inventor: Robert J. Poterala
  • Patent number: 4664953
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for cooling metal wire or strip being drawn vertically from a hot dip bath and between a pair of refractory wiping pads. The wire or strip passing between the wiping pads directly into a chamber containing a cooling liquid which is supported above and at least in part by the wiping pads. The chamber having inlet and outlet means for the cooling liquid and a removable wall to allow more rapid draining of the chamber and access to the inside of the chamber for changing the wiping pads and/or re-threading the wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1985
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1987
    Inventors: Raymond J. Copas, Dion F. Kentwell
  • Patent number: 4637338
    Abstract: An apparatus for scraping off excess coating composition from a traveling web of paper has a doctor, in the form of a flexible blade used as is or with a metering rod thereon. The doctor is fastened to a doctor supporting beam and can be pressed against the web of a paper by means of a supporting ledge which is fastened to the doctor supporting beam. The doctor supporting beam is swingably mounted at each of its two ends in a respective intermediate pivoting lever. Each intermediate lever is, in turn, pivotably mounted to a supporting bar. The pivoting axis of the intermediate levers lies as close as possible to the line of attack of the doctor on the web of paper. However, the pivoting axis of the doctor supporting beam is displaced from the pivoting axis of the intermediate levers. The end of the intermediate lever remote from its pivoting axis is connected by a pair of lift mechanisms to the doctor supporting beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1984
    Date of Patent: January 20, 1987
    Assignee: J. M. Voith GmbH
    Inventor: Albert Wohrle
  • Patent number: 4622247
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for facilitating passage of a seam (S) on a web (W) traveling underneath the edge of a knife blade (34) on a coating machine (A). The apparatus includes a machine frame (10) and a support surface (32) carried by the frame over which the web (W) travels. The vertical knife blade (34) is carried in a superimposed position adjacently above the support surface for contacting the web traveling between the knife blade and support surface to apply a coating material to the web. A movable blade assembly unit (B) is provided for carrying the knife blade (34) in the vertical disposition and for movement relative to the frame. A blade motion guide mechamism (C, 76, 78, 80, 82 D) is provided for positively guiding the movement of the blade assembly unit (B, 38, 40, 42, 44) on the frame when the blade is moved by the seam (S) in a backward arcuate lifting motion from a blade-down position to a blade-up position facilitating seam passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1985
    Date of Patent: November 11, 1986
    Inventor: Robert J. Poterala