Abstract: A suspension structure of the present embodiment conveys an optical fiber preform into a drawing furnace. A suspension portion formed in a depressed shape or a projected shape or as a hole is formed in a dummy rod connected on an upper side of the optical fiber preform conveyed into the drawing furnace. The suspension structure includes: a joining mechanism configured to cover at least a part of circumference of the dummy rod and include an arm that extends on both sides in a direction perpendicular to a drawing direction and a retention portion that engages with the suspension portion and retains the optical fiber preform; and an engagement mechanism including a gripping portion with which the arm engages and which hangs the optical fiber preform.

Abstract: A unitized segmented sheave assembly is provided. The unitized segmented sleeve assembly includes sheaves arrayed in a side-to-side formation and respectively comprising bearings and an exterior running surface and spacers interleaved between neighboring sheaves. Respective inner races of the bearings of each sheave and respective interior portions of each spacer cooperatively form an interior annular surface. The unitized segmented sheave assembly further includes a sleeve disposable in abutment with the interior annular surface.

Abstract: A manufacturing method for a cylinder head is described. A masking member is attached to cylinder head material, which followed by a film formation step. The masking member comprises a mask portion to mask the matching surface with the cylinder block, and mask portions to mask each of the openings of the intake ports, the exhaust ports, and the CPS hole. Mask portions are linked directly to other mask portions without any steps.

Abstract: A device and a method for visual monitoring and stabilization of an elongated metallic strip during continuous transport of the strip in a transport direction along a predetermined transport path, wherein the strip has been coated with a metallic layer by the strip having continuously passed through a bath of molten metal. The device includes an electromagnetic stabilizing device with at least one first pair of electromagnetic stabilizing means arranged on each side of the predetermined transport path, and a wiping device for wiping off superfluous molten metal from the strip by applying an air current in a line transversely of the transport direction of the strip and across essentially the whole width of the strip. A first image-reading apparatus takes images of the actual position of the strip in relation to the predetermined transport path. A second and third image-reading apparatus take images of the surface of the strip.

Abstract: Apparatus for continuously producing flexible semiconductor devices through deposition of a plurality of semiconductor layers onto a moving flexible substrate by using Plasma Enhanced Chemical Vapor Deposition (PECVD) processing, where at least two successive layers are deposited in the same deposition chamber onto the substrate traveling in opposite directions. Computer program product directly loadable into the internal memory of a digital computer comprising software code portions for determining and controlling all the necessary parameters for the production of flexible semi-conductor devices in a such apparatus when said computer program product is run on a computer. Roll-to-roll method for producing flexible semiconductor devices, wherein a plurality of semiconductor layers are deposited in the same deposition chamber onto a flexible substrate moving in opposite directions.

Abstract: An electrode mixture paste application method includes: a first step of unwinding a core material (2) wound in a coil shape; a second step of applying an electrode mixture paste (5) to both sides of the core material; a third step of adjusting an application amount of the electrode mixture paste; a fourth step of drying a paste-coated sheet with the electrode mixture paste applied to the both sides thereof; and a fifth step of winding the paste-coated sheet (6) in a coil shape, wherein, in the fifth step, the paste-coated sheet is wound such that each of widthwise edge portions of a mixture-formed portion (9) is prevented from sequentially overlapping itself. This can achieve a stable method for applying an electrode mixture paste in which the deformation of an electrode caused by a dog-bone shape generated at both edge portions of a mixture-formed portion can be avoided.

Abstract: An electromagnetic strip stabilizer includes: a pair of electromagnets, opposed to each other, that generate magnetic forces to act on a steel strip passing between the electromagnets after a surface coating process being applied to the steel strip; a pair of sensors, each sensor provided for each of the electromagnets, that detect a distance between a corresponding one of the electromagnets and the steel strip; and a control section configured to control a current supplied to each of the electromagnets and control a vibration of the steel strip at least based on the distance between the steel strip and each of the electromagnets detected by each of the sensors. The control section determines control gains used to control the current supplied to each of the electromagnets at least based on a thickness and a width of the steel strip.

Abstract: A method for forming an electrode for a battery includes the step of rotating a gravure roll while allowing the gravure roll to abut against the surface of an electrode, thereby applying a coating fluid serving as a precursor of a porous layer on the surface of the electrode. In this step, part of the coating fluid applied to the surface of the electrode is continuously removed by allowing a scraper to abut against the surface of the electrode, and the width of a part of the scraper abutting against the surface of the electrode is adjusted according to variations in the width of each of linear portions of the porous layer left after the removal of the part of the coating fluid.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for hot-dip coating a metal strand (1), especially a steel strip, according to which the metal strand (1) is vertically guided through a container (3) accommodating the molten coating metal (2) and through a guide channel (4) disposed upstream thereof. An electromagnetic field is generated in the area of the guide channel (4) by means of at least two inductors (5) disposed at both sides of the metal strand (1) to retain the coating material (2) in the container (3). In order to stabilize the metal strand (1) in a center position in the guide channel (4), an electromagnetic field, superimposing the electromagnetic field of the inductors (5), is generated by means of at least two additional coils (6) disposed at both sides of the metal strand (1).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the hot dip coating of a metal strip (1), in particular a steel strip, according to which the metal strip (1) is fed vertically through a container (3) that holds the molten coating metal (2) and a guide channel (4) that is connected upstream. According to the invention, to retain the coating metal (2) in the container (3) in the vicinity of the guide channel (4), an electromagnetic field is generated by means of at least two inductors (5) that are situated on either side of the metal strip (1) and to stabilise the metal strip (1) in a central position in the guide channel (4), the electromagnetic excitation of the inductors (5) is modified and/or an electromagnetic field that overlaps the electromagnetic field of the inductors (5) is generated by means of at least two correction coils (6) that are situated on either side of the metal strip (1). The aim of the invention is to control the centring of the metal strip in a manner that is not susceptible to interference.

Abstract: A roll paper printing apparatus includes a transmission source identification unit to identify a transmission source of print data received from a host interface unit, a transmission source information storage unit to store the transmission source information identified by the transmission source identification unit, a transmission source information comparison unit to compare transmission source information of a preceding print job with transmission source information of a print job which is to be printed next, an uncut printed output identification unit to identify an uncut printed output, and an interrupt printing prohibition unit to prohibit printing of the print job which is to be printed next as interrupt printing if the transmission source information of the preceding print job and the transmission source information of the print job which is to be printed next are different when the uncut printed output is identified by the uncut printed output identification unit.

Abstract: A method and an arrangement in a coating line for a fibre-like product or fibre-like products, in which the fibre-like product is directed from output means to a press head, by means of which a tube is formed around the fibre-like product. The fibre-like product is directed from the coating line to a feed unit in a preparatory position at the side. When the coating process of a previous product has terminated, the feed unit is shifted to the coating line and the fibre-like product is fed into the press head and is accelerated to the speed of the tube by means of the feed unit. The feed unit is detached from the fibre-like product, when measurement parameters associated with the fibre-like product and/or the tube reach the predetermined values and is shifted back to the preparatory position at the side of the coating line.

Abstract: To provide an apparatus and method of curtain coating for applying onto a running web a coating solution from a lip top in the form of curtain to form a coating thereon, wherein a fluid is blown to remove excessive deposits of the coating solution that are formed at the edges in the width direction of the coating, and the deposits blown away by the fluid are ejected.

Abstract: A method for forming an electrode for a battery includes the step of rotating a gravure roll while allowing the gravure roll to abut against the surface of an electrode, thereby applying a coating fluid serving as a precursor of a porous layer on the surface of the electrode. In this step, part of the coating fluid applied to the surface of the electrode is continuously removed by allowing a scraper to abut against the surface of the electrode, and the width of a part of the scraper abutting against the surface of the electrode is adjusted according to variations in the width of each of linear portions of the porous layer left after the removal of the part of the coating fluid.

Abstract: A material dispensing system for dispensing material onto a moving substrate (110), including a material dispensing nozzle (102), a material dispensing control signal controller (130) coupled to the material dispensing nozzle, a material dispensing control signal generator (120) coupled to the material dispenser control signal controller, the material dispensing control signal generator sending a material dispensing control signal to the material dispensing control signal controller, wherein the material dispensing control signal controller controls the material dispensing control signal from the material dispensing control signal generator based on the substrate speed input signal, and the material dispensing control signal controller sends the controlled material dispensing control signal to the material dispensing nozzle.

Abstract: A system and method for dispensing roll material is described that substantially prevents toilet paper runaway and is useful in reducing irritation caused by using dry toilet paper. In one embodiment, the dispenser has a structure that has a thin, but strong curved, rigid arm with a tooth that is biased to engage the toilet paper roll in such a manner that it will only permit the roll to turn only in one direction. If the roll is attempted to be turned in the opposite direction, the tooth, which is disposed toward the roll, will engage the roll and prevent rotation in the second direction without substantially damaging the toilet paper on the roll. In a second embodiment, the toilet paper dispenser will dispense a predetermined amount of toilet paper into a receiver that has a sufficient size that it will fold over onto itself a predetermined number of times.

Abstract: A slurry raw material is applied onto a carrier film 3 in a coating section 4, and a predetermined property related to the thickness of the slurry raw material is measured in a property-measuring section 5 in a wet mode before the slurry raw material is dried in a drying section 6. A processing sub-section 7a calculates an estimated value t of the thickness of a sheet from the target thickness of the sheet, a measurement of the slurry raw material property, and the slurry raw material density, to compare the estimated value t with the target value T of the sheet thickness. An adjusting output sub-section 7b transmits signals for adjusting the thickness to a thickness-adjusting device 9 on the basis of the above comparison result, to efficiently and precisely control the thickness of the slurry raw material applied onto the carrier film 3.

Abstract: An apparatus including: a movement device that moves an object to be coated; a slot die coater equipped with a position sensor mounted on at least one end of the slot die coater and which slot die coater controllably dispenses coating material onto the moving object; and at least one servor motor-controller system in electrical contact with the position sensor, wherein the position sensor senses the position of the slot die coater relative to the object and wherein the at least one servor motor-controller system adjusts the position of the slot die coater relative to the object if the position of the slot die coater relative to the moving substrate deviates from a set of predetermined coordinates.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention is directed to aperture mask deposition techniques using aperture mask patterns formed in one or more elongated webs of flexible film. The techniques involve sequentially depositing material through mask patterns formed in the film to define layers, or portions of layers, of the circuit. A deposition substrate can also be formed from an elongated web, and the deposition substrate web can be fed through a series of deposition stations. Each deposition station may have an elongated web formed with aperture mask patterns. The elongated web of mask patterns feeds in a direction perpendicular to the deposition substrate web. In this manner, the circuit creation process can be performed in-line. Moreover, the process can be automated to reduce human error and increase throughput.

Abstract: A slurry raw material is applied onto a carrier film 3 in a coating section 4, and a predetermined property related to the thickness of the slurry raw material is measured in a property-measuring section 5 in a wet mode before the slurry raw material is dried in a drying section 6. A processing sub-section 7a calculates an estimated value t of the thickness of a sheet from the target thickness of the sheet, a measurement of the slurry raw material property, and the slurry raw material density, to compare the estimated value t with the target value T of the sheet thickness. An adjusting output sub-section 7b transmits signals for adjusting the thickness to a thickness-adjusting means 9 on the basis of the above comparison result, to control the thickness of the slurry raw material applied onto the carrier film 3.

Abstract: A substrate-processing apparatus comprising at least a substrate delivery chamber, a substrate-processing chamber and a substrate takeup chamber, wherein in said substrate delivery chamber, a web substrate and an interleaf are delivered from a delivery bobbin comprising said web substrate and said interleaf alternately wound while said web substrate delivered is transported into said substrate-processing chamber to process said web substrate therein and said interleaf delivered is wound on an interleaf takeup bobbin; in said substrate takeup chamber, said web substrate transported from said substrate-processing chamber and an interleaf delivered from an interleaf delivery bobbin are alternately wound in a roll form on a substrate takeup bobbin, characterized in that said substrate-processing apparatus is provided with a mechanism for detecting transport abnormality of the interleaf at least either in the substrate delivery chamber or in the substrate takeup chamber in order to previously prevent occurrence of

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an arrangement in connection with coating of an optical fibre, in which a first fibre (3a) is directed from a fibre pay-off forward in the process via a press head (2a) forming the coating, and when the first fibre (3a) ends, a new fibre (3b) is directed to the press head (2a) in advance, and when the first fibre (3a) ends, a roll device (7) grips both the first fibre and the new fibre so that both fibres (3a, 3b) are caught between freely rotating rolls (7a, 7b) of the roll device (7), whereupon the tail of the first fibre (3a) makes the rolls (7a, 7b) of the roll device rotate, and the rotational movement of the rolls pushes the new fibre (3b) to the press head (2a) at a speed equal to that of the line.

Abstract: A method of producing a magnetic recording medium, and an apparatus thereof in which coercive force can be detected in an in-line mode, a metal thin film magnetic layer can be produced stably, and a vapor deposition film having a stable quality can be obtained. A method of producing a magnetic recording medium, comprising the steps of forming a metal thin film magnetic layer on a substrate, irradiating a light to a surface of the metal thin film magnetic layer, and measuring lightness of a reflected light from the surface to monitor coercive force of the metal thin film magnetic layer.

Abstract: The optical thickness of a film formed on a substrate is controlled precisely to manufacture an optical filter having an accurate optical thickness. Time is counted during a film (4) is being formed on a substrate (3) so as to note time points t with respect to a reference time that is set in advance. At least one of two optical characteristics consisting of energy transmittance and energy reflectance when the film being formed on the substrate (3) is irradiated with monitoring light is expressed by a function f(t) of the time points t on the basis of the theoretical formula of the optical characteristic. The function f(t) has a theoretical constant ak (k is an integer equal to or greater than 0). The optical characteristic is measured by irradiating the film (4) with the monitoring light at the time points t. A theoretical value of the optical characteristic is calculated from the function f(t).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for selectively applying, a material to a target moving along a path is disclosed. The apparatus includes at least one detector for identifying an upstream position of the target; a dispenser spaced downstream from the detector by an offset distance, the dispenser configured for selectively releasing material to contact the target; a velocity sensor for creating a velocity signal proportional to a velocity of the target; and a controller for selectively varying the offset distance in response to the velocity signal.

Abstract: In an adhesive applicator apparatus comprising an adhesive applicator roll and a nip roll, a web of corrugated board is led through the nip that is formed between the rolls. In the nip, the web of corrugated board is pressed against the adhesive applicator roll by a given constant force.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying a gel onto a sheet of material for production of disposable undergarments, the sheet moving in a predetermined direction of manufacture at a predetermined rate of travel, the apparatus comprising: a container positioned to contain a supply of the gel; a shoe comprising a body having a lower surface, a proximal end positioned to receive the sheet of material as the sheet travels in the predetermined direction of manufacture, and a distal end, an inlet conduit positioned within the body to receive the gel therein, a chamber connected to the inlet conduit and positioned within the body, a groove extending along the lower surface of the proximal end of the body and a plurality of spaced-apart outlet conduits each extending from the chamber to the groove so that the gel is delivered onto the sheet of material in a pattern of substantially parallel lines; and a gel delivery controller positioned in fluid communication with the container and with the shoe, for providing a variably controlle

Abstract: A process for stabilizing strip in a plant for coating strip material, in which a metal strip is taken through a container holding molten coating material that has, below the melt surface, a through channel, in which induction currents are induced by an electromagnetic travelling field in the coating material and, in interaction with the electromagnetic travelling field, generate an electromagnetic force to retain the coating material. In the region of the through channel, a controllable magnetic field superimposed on the modulation of the electromagnetic travelling field is applied, whose field strength and/or frequency are adjustable as a function of sensor-detected position of the strip in the coating channel.

Abstract: A method and assembly for coating a moving web of paper or paperboard by means of a coating mix jet which is directed to the surface of the web without mechanical support. The present invention is based on applying a desired amount of the coating mix to the web via a narrow-gap slit orifice, and by measuring the coat weight on the web, adjusting the position of at least one lip of the slit orifice to achieve the desired weight and cross-machine profile of the applied coat.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for controlling the size of a gap through which material is metered. The gap is defined by a rigid surface and a flexible surface connected to at least one actuator for deforming the flexible surface. A plurality of sensors are positioned along the rigid or flexible surfaces to detect the other of the surfaces and generate signals indicating its position. A computing unit in communication with the plurality of sensors processes the signals to generate a continuous gap measurement profile. The computing system also stores a pre-determined desired gap measurement profile. A control system in communication with the computing unit actuates the actuators to deform the flexible surface to adjust the gap measurement profile to correct any deviation from the desired gap measurement profile.

Abstract: A method of and system for detecting glue skips on tipping paper used to secure filters to cigarette tobacco rods and the rejection of defective cigarettes based thereon in which a particle radiation sensor is used to monitor the amount of glue applied to the tipping paper and a laser edge detector is used to monitor for proper alignment of the tipping paper during cigarette tipping operations in a typical cigarette manufacturing machine. The signals output from the particle radiation sensor are fed to a skip detection system which produces an output signal upon detecting a glue skip or a loss of glue.

Abstract: In a method for direct or indirect application of a liquid or pasty medium onto a traveling material web, notably of paper or cardboard, where during the application the cross profile (length profile) of the medium is modified under control and thereafter, in the direction of travel, the length profile (cross profile) of the previously applied medium is modified under control. Control of the cross profile and control of the length profile of the applied medium occur separately from one another in automatic control loops based on measurements of the applied profile. In addition is a pertaining apparatus with an applicator, an equalizer, a pertaining cross profile control loop, and a pertaining length profile control loop.

Abstract: A system for applying a suspension of uncooked starch particles in water to a web on a forming wire includes a source of such suspension and a source of dilution water, an application die positioned transversely of the web with an internal manifold opening into a downwardly opening die slot through which material flows from the manifold as a falling curtain onto the web. The die has a plurality of transversely spaced inlets leading into the manifold to define transversely spaced application zones across the web. The suspended starch and water are applied from the manifolds through control valves into the inlets by means of which the consistency or concentration of the starch may be varied at positions representing the application zones across the web to provide a desired strength profile to the dried web.

Abstract: An apparatus applies a strip or stream of fluid to a moving dough sheet. The apparatus has a fluid flow regulator coupled to a fluid source providing positive pressure, and a nozzle coupled to the fluid flow regulator and disposed proximate the dough sheet such that drops of fluid emerging from the nozzle contact the dough sheet before falling from the nozzle.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for blowing off surplus coating material in the continuous coating of a metal band, in particular in the zinc coating of steel bands, with a pair of blow-off nozzles, between whose nozzle bodies 2, which are chargeable with a blow-off medium, in particular compressed air, the metal band 1 is guided at a distance from the nozzle orifices 3 extending transversally to the running direction of the band. To improve the axial arrangement of the metal band between the nozzle bodies 2 it is provided that at least one of the two nozzle bodies 2 which are adjustable relative to the metal band carries an optical measuring device 4a, 4b which is movable parallel to the nozzle orifice 3 covering at least the zone of an edge K of the metal band 1 and that the opposing nozzle body is provided with a reflector 11 towards which the optical axis of the measuring device 4a, 4b is directed in its position outside of the metal band edge.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for selectively applying a liquid on a surface in a selected pattern and position on the surface. The apparatus and methods include programmable devices that individually control a plurality of nozzles wherein each nozzle has its own separate liquid supply source.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for coating a moving paper or cardboard web, in which the moving web is brought to a first backing roll and coating mix is metered onto the web by means of a pre-doctoring blade in the form of a high-velocity laminar flow in front of the pre-doctoring blade. The applied coating mix is smoothed evenly onto the web with the pre-doctoring blade and the coated web is brought to a second backing roll, where the applied coating mix is smoothed using a doctor blade working on the web supported by the second backing roll. The tension of the web is measured upstream from the first backing roll and the rotational speed of the second backing roll is set so that the tension of the web is set at a desired value. The rotational speed of the first backing roll is set so that a speed difference between the first and the second backing roll compensates for elongation of the web caused by wetting between the first and second backing rolls.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and device for applying a material pattern by means of a sequentially operating applicator to a substrate moving relative to said applicator, by way of a control valve for liquid material, in particular a hot melt, said valve being controllable for opening and closing, which material pattern in the direction of movement is sub-divided into pattern parts with slight spacing between them, and there being at least two control valves connected to the material supply, and the respective valves being made to open and close sequentially. A considerably faster operation is achieved this way.

Abstract: An apparatus including a supply source for a long composite which includes a long carrier film and a green ceramic layer continuously formed thereon along its longitudinal direction, a printing station, a drying station and a punching station. A conductor film is printed on the green ceramic layer with conductive paste in the printing station, the printed conductor film is dried in the drying station, and the green ceramic layer provided with the conductor film is punched while being registered with the conductor film and separated from the carrier film in the punching station, whereby a ceramic green sheet for a laminated ceramic electronic component is extracted.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for tipping, cutting, and sorting sutures includes a suture supply, a tipping station wherein delimited portions of the suture are tipped, preferably with a cyanoacrylate tipping agent, a diameter measuring station, a cutting station wherein a knife is operated to cut the suture at a tipped portion to form cut suture lengths having tipped suture ends for insertion into the barrel end aperture of a surgical needle, and a pair of graspers for alternatively grasping and drawing the suture from the suture supply through the tipping apparatus, the diameter measuring station and the cutting station. Optionally, a drying station can be interposed to hasten the curing of the tipping agent. Preferably, a controller is provided for controlling the sequence of operation of the apparatus and for controlling sorting of cut suture lengths deposited by the graspers onto a tilting sorting table.

Abstract: A strip or roll of thermal transfer type recording sheet has a base film on one side of which a hot-melt ink layer is formed for recording on paper or other surface by thermal transfer. An end mark or marks to be detected optically for warning the user of the fact that the recording roll is being used up is/are formed adjacent one end of the strip by gravure printing with use of a light-reflective ink. The end mark or marks produced by gravure printing are of such constant thickness, and with the bounding edges so sharply defined, that they permit positive detection by an optical sensor.For the production of the end marks by gravure printing, a web of base film with the hot-melt ink layer formed on one side thereof, with a width several times greater than that of each strip of recording sheet to be manufactured, is fed through a printing unit of a gravure printing section.

Abstract: A length of conductive wire is supported between a first reel and a second reel. The first reel is driven to move the wire through the device in a stepped fashion. Each time the wire stops a reciprocating plunger brings a material to be evaporated into contact with the wire. An electric current is passed through the length of wire in the area where the material contacts the wire. The wire is heated by the electric current to melt the material onto the wire to form a bead of material thereon. The wire is advanced to repeat the bead forming process. The wire with the beads formed thereon is wound onto the first reel for later use in an evaporator process. An infrared sensor monitors the heating process to determine if the material is melted at the desired temperature. A sensor is also provided to stop the device if the wire breaks. The advancing of the wire, the operation and refilling of the plunger and the heating of the wire are all performed automatically.

Abstract: A continuous strip coating machine has top and bottom applicator rolls and a backup roll adjacent the top applicator roll. A lift roll to lift the strip of material and thus vary the angle of wrap of the strip about the bottom applicator roll is provided. The use of the lift roll in turn varies the pressure between the strip and the roll and thus the thickness of the coating applied to the strip bottom. Thickness may be measured indirectly by measuring pressure of the strip on the applicator roll. Thickness may also be measured directly. Oscillations of the strip in a drying oven may also be sensed and compensated for. Feedback control is used with the thickness measuring techniques to control the coating thickness by varying angle of wrap, relative speed between the applicator roll and strip, and/or nip pressure between the applicator roll and a transfer roll that transfers coating material to the applicator roll.

Abstract: The present invention is to provide an apparatus for coating an advancing web on a backup roller Using a coating roller, which enables one to measure and control a coating gap between a lip surface of a coating die and the coating roller. The apparatus includes an extended portion which extends outward from each end of a slit portion of the coating die and has a reference surface parallel to the lip surface, the coating die is slidably located on a frame, a distance sensing means is fixed on each side of the coating roller, a distance is measured from the distance sensing means to the surface of the extended portion and the coating gap is controlled by sliding the coating die in a radial direction of the coating roller. Coating material is thereby controllably transferred from the coating roller to the web.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for coating a continuous web, such as paper or transparent film of cellulose acetate or polyethylene terephthalate, with liquid materials, such as photographic layer materials, which require chilling before they are dried, are described. Immediately before the chilling zone, the web with liquid materials thereon passes through isolation means which displaces higher dew point air travelling with the web with air having a dew point below the temperature of the atmosphere in the upstream end of the chilling zone. The displacement is achieved by directing several flows of low dew point air at the web. The flows are extensive transversely of the web and are spaced apart longitudinally of the web. Air may flow away from the web between the flows towards the web. By ensuring that the dew point of the air travelling with the web into the chilling zone is below the temperature in the upstream end of the chilling zone, condensation is avoided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for controlling the speed of a slave drive roller in a coating machine. Speed of the slave drive roller at a second coater is regulated by an adaptive gain allowing greater tolerances when not at run speed. That is, in addition to normal speed correction, the system accommodates greater web speed fluctuation during threadup, acceleration, and deceleration. This accommodation may be based on the sensed position of the float roller or, alternatively, on the sensed rate of acceleration/deceleration of the master drive roller.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for uniformly coating a fiber or tow of fibers (10) with a powder at relatively high speed to produce a prepreg. The apparatus uses an elongated chamber (401) in a container (400) for confining the fiber which is coated by an aerosol of powder dispensed from a powder dispensing apparatus (500) in counter-current mode. A fiber tensioning apparatus (300) for the fiber maintains the proper tensioning of the fibers spread by a speaker (201) below the fibers on roller bars (203) so that the uniformly spread fibers are fed to the chamber (401). A heater apparatus (600) fuses the powder to the fiber and then is taken up on a spool (700).

Abstract: A paint in a paint pan is picked up through a gap h.sub.PA formed between a pickup roll and an applicator roll, part of the paint is attached to the applicator roll and delivered to a sheet as a supply flow rate q.sub.A. The film thickness coated on the sheet is controlled in accordance with a model equation: M={(q.sub.A -q.sub.L).multidot..gamma..multidot.C}/LS which has evaluated a difference between the supply flow rate q.sub.A and a leak flow rate q.sub.L not transferred onto the sheet, remaining on the applicator roll and escaping through a gap h.sub.AS (.gamma. is the specific gravity of the paint, C the concentration of a solid content of the paint and LS a moving speed of the sheet).

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for monitoring the application of dye to a traveling web of textile material. The apparatus includes a color characteristic detecting assembly which is movable between an initial detecting position in which it detects a color characteristic of the textile material web shortly after the web has emerged from a dye liquor bath and a post-drying detecting position in which it detects a color characteristic of the textile material web after the web has been handled in a drying device. The post-drying detection of the textile material web enables the apparatus to detect an out-of-limits color characteristic situation which may not appear or be detectable until after the web has been subjected to the drying process. The color characteristic detecting assembly is connected to a control unit which controls the nip pressure of a pair of nip rollers which remove excess moisture from the textile material web.

Abstract: A method of making granule-covered roofing material comprises discharging granules onto continuously moving asphaltic material, pressing the granules into the asphaltic material, directing light toward the granule-covered asphaltic material, measuring the reflected light from the granule-covered asphaltic material, and responding to the measured reflected light by modifying a process parameter to effect a change in the reflectance of light from the granule-covered asphaltic material.