Abstract: A head-box for depositing slurry upon a moving web including a main metering roll, a companion roll disposed in closely spaced relation to the metering roll and a vibrating gate which forms a nip between the metering roller and the gate. The nip is arranged to retain a supply of the slurry, and the rolls are driven so slurry retained in the nip progresses over an upper outer peripheral surface of the metering roll to be deposited upon the web. Also, preferably included is a doctor blade disposed in operational relationship to the metering roll for directing the slurry downwardly from the outer metering roll surface to a point above the surface of a carrier for a fiberglass layer upon which the slurry layer is deposited. The vibrating gate and doctor blade may be pivotally mounted to either side of the surfaces of the head-box.

Abstract: A pulp former's sealing blades extend between the headbox slice and twin forming wires and are bonded and/or pinned to blade supports which mount the blades to the slice. The blade supports have flat mounting surfaces which extend in the machine and cross machine directions and which overlie or underlie the blades supports. The blades may be affixed to the supports with an adhesive film. The supports are in turn mounted to the upper and lower sides of a pulp former headbox slice. After the adhesive bond is formed, holes are drilled through the flexible blades and into the blade supports. The holes are filled with pins which are mounted flush to the pulp side surfaces of the flexible blades. The holes through the flexible blades may be tapered, and the corresponding tapered portions of the pins may be used to clamp the flexible blades to the blade supports.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved structure of a head box for a paper making machine. The sidewalls of a nozzle of a head box shall be movable with the rotation of a roll transporting a forming wire of the paper making machine. Thus, the homogeneity of produced paper can be improved and the production rate of paper increased.

Abstract: A device for feeding a pulp suspension to a tissue machine includes a headbox having top and bottom lips defining a slice gap forming a free flow jet of the pulp suspension. The device also includes at least one eccentric shaft for setting the slice gap between a minimum and a maximum height. Each eccentric shaft is supported at several points over the machine width and is driven directly by a gear motor.

Abstract: Control equipment for the headbox tip lath of a paper machine includes first actuators (12a1, 12a2 . . . ), which are located at different points along the headbox (100) width and connect functionally with a bendable intermediate part (14). At the different points along the headbox (100) width there are also second actuators (13a1, 13a2 . . . ) which are used in the tip lath control. These connect functionally with both the bendable intermediate part (14) and the tip lath (11). The first actuators (12a1, 12a2 . . . ) are used to perform rough control of the tip lath (11) whereas the second actuators (13a1, 13a2 . . . ) are used to perform fine control of the tip lath (11).

Abstract: A device for feeding a pulp suspension to a tissue machine includes a headbox having top and bottom lips defining a slice gap forming a free flow jet of the pulp suspension. The device also includes at least one eccentric shaft for setting the slice gap between a minimum and a maximum height. Each eccentric shaft is supported at several points over the machine width and is driven directly by a gear motor.

Abstract: The invention refers to a device for feeding a pulp suspension to a dewatering installation, particularly for a tissue machine. It is mainly characterized by one or several one-piece, wedge-shaped, steel lamella tip(s) being provided to separate the individual sectors in a two-layer or multi-layer headbox.

Abstract: Headbox for a paper machine having a feed part, a central part extending across the machine width, and a nozzle. The nozzle extends across the machine width and has at least one continuous wall that runs across the machine width transverse to the lengthwise flow. For absorbing and discharging nozzle expansion forces in a sectional manner, several separate individual support devices distributed across the machine width for influencing the nozzle aperture are attached to the at least one, preferably continuous wall. The resulting lines of force of each support device remain at least substantially in a plane lying perpendicular to the direction of the machine width and in the flow direction, and the corresponding supporting forces individually, at least substantially, are directed to and absorbed in the central part in the plane of the flow direction.

Abstract: A headbox for a paper-making machine includes a plurality of side walls and an apron. A nozzle blade is connected to one of the side walls. The nozzle blade and the apron define a discharge nozzle therebetween. A profile bar is rigidly connected to an end of the nozzle blade. A slice lip is rigidly and removably attached to the profile bar and/or nozzle blade. The slice lip and the apron define a discharge outlet therebetween.

Abstract: A headbox in a paper machine, which headbox has a stock outlet for a jet of stock having a specific length, angle of impact and point of encounter in relation to a nip in the wet section of the paper machine, which headbox has two stand parts, lifting arms with front and rear journalling means and a device for setting the position and alignment of the headbox so that the stock jet obtains said specific length, angle of impact and point of encounter, which setting device has two actuators mounted pivotably at the rear Journalling means of the lifting arms and at the stand parts, whereby the headbox is adjustable by means of a turning movement about said front bearing means of the lifting arms.

Abstract: A suction breast roll former has a support surface with a plurality of apertures formed therein that are operatively connected to a vacuum source. A headbox has a flexible roof extending downstream from a slice opening and disposed adjacent to a support surface of the suction breast roll. The headbox permits the flexible roof to bend over a range of movement relative to the support surface to match the shape of a drainage curve suiting current operating conditions. A method of forming a paper web includes the steps of supplying an aqueous suspension of papermaking fibers to a forming zone created between the suction breast roll and the headbox. The headbox includes a slice body and an apron that define a slice opening therebetween and also has a flexible roof extending from the slice opening and spaced from the support surface to define a forming zone therebetween. A forming fabric is passed through the forming zone to receive the aqueous suspension of papermaking fibers.

Abstract: Improvements in the internal dividers of a papermaking headbox are provided by stiffening the dividers only in the cross-machine direction. These cross-machine stiffened dividers provide for a smooth and thin divider that is flexible in the machine direction and yet is strong and resists distortion, buckling or bending in the cross-machine direction.

Abstract: A former with a sieve, preferably with a cylinder mold, is provided with an adjustable discharge aperture for a fibrous material suspension exiting from a chamber that is formed between the sieve and an upper lip formed by a flow guide plate. The upper lip has a first end facing away from the chamber and is guided in a floating manner by a pressure medium in a direction toward the sieve, as well as in the opposite direction. The upper lip is supported in a floating manner also by a pressure medium at its second end facing toward the chamber. In this way, deflections of the upper lip in the region of the inlet aperture can be largely avoided.

Abstract: A slice lip apparatus is disclosed for guiding a flow of stock from a headbox so that the stock flows between a first and a second wire of a former. The apparatus includes a lip which is disposed adjacent to the first wire. A movable lip is spaced relative to the lip so that the lips defined therebetween a slice for the passage therethrough of the flow of stock. An adjustable guide shoe is disposed adjacent to the movable lip for guiding the second wire. A linkage extends between the movable lip and the adjustable guide shoe. The arrangement is such that when the movable lip is selectively moved relative to the lip, such selective movement generates a corresponding movement of the adjustable guide shoe relative to the first wire.

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 headbox for a paper-making machine includes an inlet for receiving a fiber suspension. An apron and an upper wall converge relative to each other and define a machine wide discharge nozzle and an outlet therebetween. The discharge nozzle terminates at the outlet. A slice lip is carried by the upper wall. The slice lip is positioned at the outlet and includes a working edge defining an outlet gap with the apron. The slice lip is slidably movable a travel distance in directions toward and away from the outlet gap. A slice lip clamp assembly is connected to the upper wall. The slice lip clamp assembly engages the slice lip and biases the slice lip against the upper wall. The slice lip clamp assembly includes at least one clamping plate having at least one opening with an inside diameter, at least one fastener having an outside diameter and at least one keeper device.

Abstract: A three layer headbox for producing a multilayer fiber web. The headbox has top and bottom walls inclined toward each other toward the outlet of the headbox. Top and a bottom separating blades in the headbox, the top blade defining a first chamber toward the top wall, the bottom blade being below defining a second chamber between the blades and also defining a third chamber between the bottom blade and the bottom wall. A respective pulp inlet to each of the three chambers. One of the top and bottom blades being hingedly supported at its upstream end to be adjustable in position for affecting the speed of pulp suspension in respective layers in the chambers affected by the orientation of the blade. The pulp suspension layers passing through a headbox are delivered to a paper machine forming section wire and the three streams from the headbox are combined directly before or upon impingement on the wire.

Abstract: A multi-layer headbox for the production of a multi-layer web of paper has, for instance, three flow planes (I, II, III), each having a pulp feed device (1.1, 1.2, 1.3). In each flow plane a turbulence generator (3) is provided which opens into a nozzle (4). In it there are two plates (5.1, 5.2) which keep two neighboring streams of slurry separate from each other up to the region of the exit slot (8). Each plate is developed as a flexurally soft plate of plastic, the downstream end of which is metal and has a thickness S of at most 0.3 mm. The plastic and metal have a different in coefficients of thermal expansion of <10.sup.-7 1/K.

Abstract: A nozzle of a multilayer headbox wherein the headbox includes a nozzle for distributing the stock suspension on a wire. The nozzle is subdivided by at least one machine-wide fin, the fin forming with the nozzle at least two machine-wide nozzle ducts. At least the mean value of the clearance of at least one nozzle duct diminishes steadily in the flow direction, the percentage decrease of the clearance in the fluidically essential area of the nozzle being at least twice as large as in the starting area of the nozzle.

Abstract: A multilayer headbox for the introduction of at least two fiber suspension streams to the forming section of a paper manufacturing machine includes a nozzle chamber further defined by two stream guide walls which end at an outlet gap and by two side walls. At least one lamella is provided in the nozzle chamber, this lamella keeping at least two fiber suspension streams separated from each other through the region of the outlet gap. The lamella includes a body, preferably made of plastic, and a tip made of a hard material. The tip is either a strip or a coating having a sharp tip-edge integrated into the body of the lamella.

Abstract: A nozzle of a multilayer headbox wherein the headbox includes a nozzle for distributing the stock suspension on a wire. The nozzle is subdivided by at least one machine-wide fin, the fin forming with the nozzle at least two machine-wide nozzle ducts. At least the mean value of the clearance of at least one nozzle duct diminishes steadily in the flow direction, the percentage decrease of the clearance in the fluidically essential area of the nozzle being at least twice as large as in the starting area of the nozzle. The fin has downstream end area of decreasing thickness immediately preceded by an area of increasing thickness.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a headbox for a machine used in the production of a fiber material web from a fiber suspension. The headbox includes a bottom and a plurality of walls defining a main chamber. A slice beam, defining a width of the outlet channel, is pivotably connected to at least one of the walls and is disposed adjacent to the front wall. The slice beam and the bottom define an adjustable outlet channel therebetween. A support plate extends substantially across the width and is pivotably connected at opposing first and second edges thereof to each of the front wall and the slice beam. The support plate inhibits deflections of the slice beam along the width.

Abstract: In order to independently influence the dewatering performance of a wet forming section of a paper machine as well as the quality of a web produced by the machine, a paper machine head box is mounted on a swiveling device adapted to move a nozzle of the head box around a periphery of a forming cylinder. Two continuous-loop forming wires wrap about the forming cylinder and pulp is discharged through the nozzle into a gap formed by the two wires. A method of operation of the wet forming section includes the step of swiveling both the head box nozzle and an inlet roll (upon which one of the wires is wrapped) around the forming cylinder in a circular arc.

Abstract: The proposed multilayer head box for a paper machine or similar is constructed so that it can produce a wide jet consisting of at least three individual jets (5, 5', 5") The individual jets are fed through separate channels (3, 3", 3") and emitted out of the head box and subsequently combine to form a single wide jet. The individual channels are so constructed that further outer lying jets can be diverted sufficiently after having been emitted out of their respective channel, so that they meet the respective further inner lying partial stream at a very slight angle. The problem of separation when the partial streams are diverted as well as that of undesired lateral mixing when the partial streams are combined are thereby prevented.

Abstract: A headbox for a machine for the manufacture of paper from a web of paper pulp has an upper lip and a lower lip disposed below the upper lip and operatively associated with the upper lip to form an interior region between the lower lip and the upper lip and a discharge region. The shape of the lower lip, adjacent the discharge region, over which the web of paper pulp flows is adjustable. The shape may be adjusted by the rotation of a round, rotatable member disposed flush with the lower lip of the headbox or by the deformation of a deformable member provided at the discharge region.

Abstract: Headbox for paper machines, provided with an output channel in the form of a nozzle, with an output slot for producing a strip of pulp having the width of the machine. The output channel is delimited by two flow guide walls converging toward one another and as a rule by a rear wall. It is divided up into a number of channel sections (32), preferably autonomous, by subdivision of the flow guide walls into wall sections (30, 31) and preferably by subdivision of the rear wall into rear wall sections (37). Each channel section may have at least one input line (40) of its own, as well as (for adjusting the opening of the output slot) a section of part of the mobile wall (35) and an associated regulating system (38, 39).

Abstract: A measuring and indicating apparatus for the position of a headbox profile bar relative to a measuring reference as an electrical signal emitter and an indicating device. Disposed in a measuring housing are the stationary part, e.g., a measuring coil, of the electrical signal emitter and a measuring element which is movable along a longitudinal axis. The indicating device comprises an indicator housing and a probe element which is movable along a longitudinal axis. The measuring housing of the electrical signal emitter has in the area of its longitudinal axis two connecting fixtures for a rigid, but adjustable connection each, for one to the indicator housing, and for another, to the measuring reference.

Abstract: A headbox includes a nozzle type stock channel with an outlet gap. The nozzle type stock channel is defined by two flow guide walls. Arranged on the discharge end of the upper flow guide wall is a movable aperture to which attach numerous adjustment spindles which are arranged distributed across the machine width. Each adjustment spindle has on its end away from the aperture a spindle drive. Provided on the upper end of each spindle is a measuring device serving the determination of the local position of the aperture. The measuring device has a measuring housing and a measuring element movable in it. The measuring element is connected positively with the aperture, independently of the spindle, by way of a measuring rod. The measuring housing is positively connected with the area of the flow guide wall on the near side of the aperture, by way of an oblong tubular measuring reference.

Abstract: In a papermaking machine, a method and mechanism for delivering stock to a dewatering web including a pressure headbox with a narrowing slice opening, a receiving throat either with a single traveling forming wire or a pair of traveling forming wires, bridging the space between the headbox opening and the wire so that the stock jet is contained without a free surface, and applying a trailing flexible element opposite the stock in a single wire machine or against one wire in a twin wire machine with the force and location of the trailing element controlled by a series of push rods arranged parallel in a cross machine direction.

Abstract: A headbox for a papermaking machine has an outlet channel having the width of the machine which is limited by a rigid channel wall and by a movable channel wall. The movable channel wall is part of a channel-wall support. Between the latter and a supporting member, there is a pressure cushion which counteracts the pressure prevailing in the outlet channel. A lift device is swingably mounted, at one end, on the rigid headbox housing and, on the other end, on the channel-wall support. In each of the two end walls of the channel-wall support, there is provided a spherical joint, the center point of which lies in a plane extending through the end point of the channel width. The lift device is coupled to the spherical joint by means of a C-shaped spindle head.

Abstract: The uniformity of layered paper sheets produced using a layered headbox can be improved by confining the outer layers between parallel surfaces within the headbox immediately prior to leaving the headbox.

Abstract: An expansion member which extends transversely over the width of a paper making machine, particularly at the breast box of the paper machine, which member furthermore serves to change the position of a structural part, like a ledge or diaphragm. The member is subdivided, transverse to the machine direction, into a plurality of cells each of which can be acted on by pressure. The cells are separated from each other by vertical partition walls of high stretchability and are further defined by transverse walls extending transverse to the machine direction and joining the partition walls. At least one transverse wall or a further wall outside of and connected with the one transverse wall is highly stretchable in the regions of the transverse or further walls which are at the individual partition walls, as compared with the other regions of the transverse wall or the thereto connected further wall.

Abstract: Use of a headbox with an auxiliary blade having a concave edge reduces the deflection required to modify the basis weight profile of a wet sheet formed in papermaking apparatus.

Abstract: The headbox for a paper making machine includes an outlet duct extending across the machine width. The outlet duct is defined by a fixed duct wall below and by a movable duct wall above which are oriented to converge and define an outlet slot. The movable duct wall is movable by a lifting appliance to adjust the space between the duct walls and also the pressure on the stock suspension passing the outlet slot. The movable duct wall has a duct wall beam disposed on it. A support beam for the movable duct wall extends across the machine. Between the duct wall beam and the support beam is a pressure cushion which acts against the pressure in the outlet duct. The lifting appliance is pivoted on the rigid headbox housing and on the support beam. The lifting appliance meets the movable duct wall beam at its axial end to avoid bending moments on that wall.

Abstract: A system and process for controlling the displacement of a thickness regulating member which regulates the basis weight of a sheet being formed from fluid material. The displacement of the thickness regulating member is determined by measuring the forces which slice rods exert on the thickness regulating member.

Abstract: A sieve bend has been described incorporating a headbox 40, throat mechanism 46, nip flap 90 and sieve surface area 52 supported by frame 96 which may have portions thereof rotated or positioned behind headbox 40 temporarily until its use is desired. The invention overcomes the problem of requiring frequent end for end reversal of the sieve surface area and of debris jamming the throat mechanism. Further, the invention permits in process variation of the sieve surface area 52 in response to downstream conditions.

Abstract: A headbox for stock suspension for a machine for forming a web from the stock suspension. The headbox having an outlet duct formed by a relatively stationary duct wall below and a relatively movable duct wall above. The duct walls converge in the direction of suspension flow to form an outlet slot. The upper duct wall is pivoted at its upstream end to enable adjustment of the clear width, i.e. the inter-wall spacing of the outlet slot. A beam extends across the machine above the movable duct wall. A pressurizable back pressure cushion is disposed between the beam and the movable duct wall. The pressure of the cushion is adjustable for maintaining the desired pressure level exerted by the movable wall on the stock suspension in the outlet slot. A lifting appliance is connected with the beam, but not with the movable duct wall, for adjusting the height position of the beam, which adjusts the width of the pressurized outlet slot.

Abstract: A stock delivery system is provided having a pair of inlet systems (one for large flow and one for small flow) selectively pivotally swung into operating position for charging a slurry through a perforated plate and into the following flow passage and slice which includes adjustments for optimum flow velocity by strategically-placed pivot points and adjusting mechanisms for controlling the heel and throat areas and the lip defining the slice.

Abstract: A fiber stock suspension is directed from a guide device through the nozzle chamber of the headbox device and out of the slice opening thereof onto a papermaking machine. This nozzle chamber comprises at least two zones or sections. The first zone subsequent to the guide device possesses a relatively low convergence angle or low angle of wall inclination of the headbox device relative to the direction of flow of the fiber stock suspension. The other or second zone is positioned prior to or immediately upstream of the slice opening and possesses a substantially greater convergence angle or angle of wall inclination. In the first zone subsequent to the guide device, an improved flow stabilization or quieting of the flow of the fiber stock suspension occurs after the deflection of the fiber stock suspension and the creation of turbulence by the guide device. In the second zone prior to the slice opening the fiber stock suspension is strongly accelerated.

Abstract: In a headbox system for a papermaking machine with an adjustable distribution of the fiber stock suspension or pulp over the web width, the flow in the delivery slice is controlled in such a way that, across the web width, also the distribution of the fibers in respect of fiber orientation and quantity has a desired profile. For this purpose, the flow of the fiber stock suspension is controlled such that in the event of a change in the distribution of the fiber stock suspension across the web width, the horizontal component of the flow direction in the delivery slice remains, at all locations, always in the predetermined machine direction and thus transverse flows are avoided and the flow rate in the delivery slice has a predeterminate profile.

Abstract: In a headbox system for a papermaking machine with an adjustable distribution of the fiber stock suspension or pulp over the web width, the flow in the delivery slice is controlled in such a way that, across the web width, also the distribution of the fibers in respect of fiber orientation and quantity has a desired profile. For this purpose, the flow of the fiber stock suspension is controlled such that in the event of a change in the distribution of the fiber stock suspension across the web width, the horizontal component of the flow direction in the delivery slice remains, at all locations, always in the predetermined machine direction and thus transverse flows are avoided and the flow rate in the delivery slice has a predeterminate profile.

Abstract: In a multi-ply headbox of a papermaking machine, a flexible partition foil or sheet is connected by an apparatus to a rigid partition element dividing the nozzle chamber. For rapid replacement of the flexible partition foil or sheet, the apparatus comprises an upper retaining strip and a lower retaining strip which are structured for force-locking or form-closed or form-locking clamping of the flexible partition foil or sheet therebetween and secured at the rigid partition element. Between the upper and lower retaining strips there is provided a pressure chamber of a pressure device, which pressure chamber can be impinged by a pressurized fluid medium for spreading or expanding, if necessary, the upper and the lower retaining strips. The pressure chamber possesses the shape of a continuous groove extending across the entire outlet width of the headbox.

Abstract: A paper machine headbox slice lip rotector system which permits limited incremental movement up or down by means of a pivoting lever arm 32 with lock bolt end portions 36 and 38 moving in adjacent protectors' adjustable keeper recesses 40. The recesses 40 are defined by stop nuts 42 on a threaded body fixed to the adjustable spindles 20. The lever arm 32 is pivotally mounted on the body for permitting up and down movement a distance which is the average of the distance defined by the keeper recesses 40 of the adjacent protectors. This prevents the prior art problem of a protector being "locked" between adjacent protectors.

Abstract: A nozzle-like, machine-wide stock channel forms a stock discharge opening to which is allocated a device for adjusting the basis weight cross direction (CD) profile of the paper web produced in the paper machine. The device has a profile bar extending across the machine width. This is connected to an expanding member supported at the headbox in which are arranged pressure chambers disposed in succession across the machine width. By pressurization of the chambers of the expanding member consisting of an elastic material, this can be deformed. The deformation is transferred to the profile bar and in this way the effective width of the stock discharge opening changed.

Abstract: A headbox for dispensing a machine-width suspension flow from a machine-width nozzle type discharge channel which is defined by two machine-width flow control walls converging on each other. Located on the downstream end is a machine-width discharge gap for the flow of suspension. One of the two flow control walls is for fine adjustment of the discharge gap width and is equipped with an elastically flexible wall section which extends across the machine width. This wall section is equipped with a number of areal heating elements in a succession across the machine width, with which material layers having different coefficients of heat expansion may be coordinated. By appropriate heating of individual heating elements it is possible to achieve a local deformation of the flexible wall section and thus a local change of the discharge gap width and a correction of the basis weight cross profile of the paper web produced.

Abstract: In a multi-ply headbox, the nozzle chamber is subdivided by rigid partition walls into a number of nozzle chambers, and the slice openings or outlet slices are adjustable independently of one another. This is accomplished by providing a pivotable mounting of the partition wall or walls in a guide block, for instance, such pivotable mounting being accomplished by a substantially cylindrical shell or cup bearing structure. The desired pivotable movement or adjustment of the rigid partition wall can be undertaken by an inclined groove-cam guide arrangement effective at a projection of the partition wall or by pressure cushions, such as pressure hoses effective at both sides of the projection.

Abstract: A headbox, preferably for a paper machine, has a nozzle chamber with a slice gap, which is confined by a top and a bottom lip wall and by two side walls. The nozzle chamber is divided for the production of multi-layer fibrous stock webs into two or more machine-wide flow channels. For this purpose at least one wedge-shaped partition wall extends through the nozzle chamber from one side wall to the other, with this partition wall projecting through the slice gap in the direction of flow. Each of the two side walls is subdivided along the partition wall into two side wall sections. The partition wall is clamped between the side wall sections in the area of each side wall.

Abstract: A head box has a preferably fixed flow-carrying wall (11) and a movable flow-carrying wall (13) defining a nozzle-like stock conduit (14) and an outlet slot (15). The movable wall is provided with an adjustable profile bar (35) at the stock outlet slot. For coarse adjustment of the slot width, two lifting devices (21) act on the movable flow-carrying wall. Fine adjustment of the slot width is performed by adjustment spindles (36) acting on the profile bar.To improve adjustment of the stock outlet slot by the movable wall and to use the profile bar adjustment to perform very small corrections to the slot width, a front end section (24) of the movable wall located in the region of the stock outlet slot is flexibly constructed with respect to the remaining part of the wall, and a plurality of adjustment units (33) are spaced across the machine width and act on the flexible end section directly in front of the stock outlet slot.

Abstract: The front wall and support arrangement is shaped as a stiff support structure extending across the entire machine width above a slice chamber. The support structure is deformed due to its inherent weight and because of the pressures and temperatures prevailing in the slice chamber. To counteract these deformation effects the support structure is supported by a support carrier of about the same length as the support structure. To attain a substantially lower structural height, the support carrier is arranged relative to the support structure such that an intermediate space prevails between the lower wall of the support structure and the support carrier. This intermediate space accommodates force-generating support elements. Each of the force-generating support elements is provided for only a portion of the surface or area to be supported in the intermediate space.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for controlling the thickness of coatings on webs at a plurality of cross-directional positions while a coating procedure is taking place. The deflection of the metering element is controlled automatically in response to measurements of the uncoated and coated web that determine the thickness of the coating being applied at a plurality of cross-directional positions. In one preferred embodiment, a bimetallic member having a plurality of separated tongue-like extensions corresponding to cross-directional positions along the blade is used, the tongue-like extensions pressing on the back of the blade at their ends in response to heat applied dependent upon the determined thickness of the coating being applied. In another embodiment, pneumatic actuators whose pressure may be varied in response to the determined thickness are used to adjust the position of the metering element at a plurality of cross-directional positions to locally vary the thickness of the applied coating.