Fluid Suspension Patents (Class 242/615.11)
  • Patent number: 11549753
    Abstract: Heat shrink wrap product packaging oven or tunnel apparatus and processing methods are provided which incorporate or utilize airfoils in conjunction with hot air-providing side walls to desirably control impact of hot air onto a product wrapped with a tube of heat shrink wrap film and being conveyed on a conveyor thereby. In such heat shrink wrap product packaging apparatus and methods, such airfoils can be movable, e.g., rotatably moveable, relative to the side walls to vertically alter an air impact point onto the product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Robert C. Beesley, Mark Davidson
  • Patent number: 10981742
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling curl in sheets between two transports includes a curved baffle placed between the two transports. A thin layer of high velocity air is applied to the curved baffle. The high velocity air layer, which will have a tendency to follow the curved baffle (Coanda effect), will divert sheets (Bernoulli effect) towards the curved baffle. By positioning the curved baffle between the two transports and by applying a uniform air stream to it, a lower pressure area will be created. This will flatten the trajectory of the sheets and ensure acquisition by the downstream transport.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Carlos M Terrero, Rachel Lynn Tanchak, Roberto A Irizarry, Erwin Ruiz, Ali R Dergham
  • Patent number: 10744726
    Abstract: An alternating pressure melt impregnation device and a melt impregnation method, including having a resin melt squirted from each resin melt runner on an upper die and a lower die of a melt injection area, and thus the squirted resin melt is enable to be squirted directly on an upper surface and a lower surface of a continuous fiber bundle which is entering into an impregnation chamber. Impregnation and infiltration for both surfaces of the continuous fiber bundle are primarily completed by a squirted pressure. The resin melt inside the impregnation chamber flows to a decompression chambers at both sides of the impregnation chamber. When the resin melt flows to a throttle plate, a re-impregnation for the continuous fiber bundle is realized. Then the pressure is decreased and a section of the resin melt is enlarged and a radial flow is generated due to the Barus effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: KINGFA SCI. & TECH. CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Xianbo Huang, Wei Xin, Yonghua Li, Chunhua Chen, Dahua Chen
  • Patent number: 10657989
    Abstract: In one general embodiment, an apparatus includes a module having a tape bearing surface, and an array of transducers extending along the tape bearing surface. The module has an aperture extending therethrough from the tape bearing surface to an opposing side of the module for permitting passage of air therethrough to the tape bearing surface. In another general embodiment, a method includes adhering a closure to a thin film layer formed on a substrate. The thin film layer has an array of transducers extending therealong. The closure has a channel therein which forms an aperture when the closure is coupled to the thin film layer. A tape bearing surface is formed along the substrate, closure and thin film layer. A recessed portion is formed in the tape bearing surface. An opening of the aperture is present in the recessed portion upon forming the recessed portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Robert G. Biskeborn, Calvin S. Lo
  • Patent number: 10087581
    Abstract: The primary object of the invention is an arrangement in the fibrous-web machine for tail-threading of a fibrous web, a tail-threading apparatus and a method for tail-threading.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: TAKSO Software Ltd
    Inventors: Juha Laitio, Markku Nieminen
  • Patent number: 9834869
    Abstract: To perform a flame-resistant treatment on a precursor fiber strand by sending hot air to a heat treatment chamber (2) through a hot air blowing nozzle (4) in a direction parallel to a running direction of a precursor fiber strand (10). The hot air blowing from the hot air blowing nozzle (4) passes through a porous plate and a rectifying member that satisfy the following conditions (1) to (4), wherein the conditions are set as follows: (1) A/B?4.0; (2) 0.15???0.35; (3) 0?B?d?20; and (4) 80% or more of an area of one opening of the porous plate when causing facing surfaces of the porous plate and the rectifying member to overlap each other is included in one opening of the rectifying member, A indicating a hot air passage distance (mm) of the rectifying member, B indicating a horizontal maximum distance (mm) of one opening of the rectifying member, ? indicating a rate of hole area of the porous plate, and d indicating an equivalent diameter (mm) of the porous plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation
    Inventors: Satoshi Kaji, Nobuyuki Yamamoto, Atsushi Kawamura, Hitoshi Tomobe
  • Patent number: 9662841
    Abstract: A composite structure having at least one radially extending part is provided. The composite structure is formed with ply layers. At least one of the ply layers used to form the radially extending part has fibers oriented at an angle offset from an edge of the at least one ply layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: Orbital ATK, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher J. Madsen, Eric McNabb, John B. Healey, Todd Rosevear
  • Patent number: 9617103
    Abstract: A sheet manufacturing apparatus includes: a first transport unit that causes a first transport belt to circle around so as to transport a web; and a second transport unit that is disposed with a part thereof shifted from the first transport unit toward the downstream side in a transport direction of the web, sucks the web in a direction in which the web is spaced from the first transport belt, and transports the web. The second transport unit includes a suction chamber which is positioned on an inner side of a second transport belt circling around and of which an inner space is sucked by a suction unit such that the web is adsorbed onto the second transport belt. The suction unit is positioned on the outer side of the second transport belt in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the web along the surface of the web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Naotaka Higuchi, Shigeo Fujita
  • Patent number: 9156285
    Abstract: A printing system for printing on a print medium is disclosed. A first linehead is disposed opposite a first side of the print medium. The first linehead defines print zones where a liquid is deposited onto the first side of the print medium. A plurality of transport rollers are disposed adjacent to the second side of the print medium. At least one transport roller is aligned with one of the one or more print zones of the first linehead. A vacuum manifold is disposed opposite the second side of the print medium. The vacuum manifold is aligned with the aligned transport roller and outputs a vacuum force that operates on the second side of the print medium to deflect the print medium causing an increase in the wrap angle of the print medium around the aligned transport roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: EASTMAN KODAK COMPANY
    Inventors: Michael J. Piatt, James A. Katerberg, Randy D. Vandagriff
  • Patent number: 9157679
    Abstract: A furnace to flame-resistantly treat a precursor fiber strand by sending hot air to a heat treatment chamber through a hot air blowing nozzle in a direction parallel to a running direction of the strand is provided. The hot air passes through a porous plate and a rectifying member satisfying the following conditions: (1) A/B?4.0; (2) 0.15???0.35; (3) 0?B?d?20; and (4) 80% or more of the area of one opening of the porous plate when facing surfaces of the porous plate and the rectifying member overlap is included in one opening of the rectifying member, where A is the rectifying member hot air passage distance (mm), B is a horizontal maximum distance (mm) of one opening of the rectifying member, ? is a rate of hole area of the porous plate, and d is the porous plate equivalent diameter (mm).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Rayon Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoshi Kaji, Nobuyuki Yamamoto, Atsushi Kawamura, Hitoshi Tomobe
  • Publication number: 20150097070
    Abstract: This invention is related to suction nozzles having a center protrusion for stabilizing a continuous web for various web property measurements. Suction nozzles blow air out of the nozzle, yet produce a vacuum proximate thereto. Two nozzles are disclosed, a single sided sheet-contact stabilizer and a non-contact sheet stabilizer. An air-bearing may be formed between the end surface of the center protrusion and the moving web.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2014
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Inventor: Shizhong Duan
  • Publication number: 20140083137
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for steering flexible glass webs are disclosed. In one embodiment, a steering device for non-contact steering of a glass web having a conveyance direction and a cross direction normal to the conveyance direction includes a fluid injection bar having an elongate axis oriented in a cross direction of the glass web. The steering device also includes a pivot bearing assembly coupled to the fluid injection bar such that the fluid injection bar is pivotable in a plane perpendicular to the conveyance direction of the glass web, an actuator coupled to the fluid injection bar for adjusting the orientation of the fluid injection bar with respect to the glass web, and an edge detection device positioned proximate to an edge of the glass web for evaluating a position of an edge of the glass web.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2012
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Inventors: Todd Benson Fleming, Richard Jonathan Kohler, Dale Charles Marshall, Robert L. Walton
  • Patent number: 8584584
    Abstract: A noncontact web stabilizer is provided in which members located on opposite sides of a web reduce out-of-plane web vibrations. Specifically, a first member is located on one side of a web and a second member is located on the opposite side of the web. Both members are positioned so that the distance between the web and the members decrease in the direction that the web is moving, creating opposing regions of high pressure that force the web toward its nominal running position, thereby reducing out-of-plane web instability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Goss International Americas, Inc.
    Inventors: Kent Dirksen Kasper, Drew Edwin Kiefaber, Daniel Matthew Perdue
  • Patent number: 8474744
    Abstract: A floor covering storage, dispensing and retrieval rack includes a frame having a roller arrangement for enabling storage, dispensing and retrieval of at least one roll of floor covering relative to the floor surface. A blower device is connected to the frame for supplying a stream of forced air between the floor surface and the floor covering to ease installation and removal of the floor covering relative to the floor surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Jacquart Fabric Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert J. Jacquart
  • Patent number: 8413920
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for unwinding a roll of web material are disclosed herein. The web material is unwound from the roll and the machine direction of motion of the web is altered without creating a problematic span of web material. A value analogous to the tension of the web material is determined. The speed of the web is adjusted according to the analog of the tension of the web. The apparatus can comprise an unwind stand to rotate the roll, and a means for altering the direction of travel of the web material. The apparatus further comprises a means to determine an analog of the web material tension and a means of controlling the speed of the web according to the analog of the web tension. The web material is routed to a downstream process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Bruce Jerome Solberg, David Kent Mattheis
  • Patent number: 8313260
    Abstract: A device for compensating for the variation in width of a flexible print support (1) progressing through a multicolor printing machine, between successive rotary printing assemblies, by a stream of air directed towards the print support in order to alter its flatness, includes at least one pair of deflectors (2) positioned symmetrically one on each side of the line of travel of the print support, each deflector (2) including an air blowing chamber (6) opening onto the surface (11) of the deflector that faces towards the print support and being directed towards the rear of the deflector in the direction of travel of the support, so as to produce an air stream in the form of a flat sheet of air capable, at the same time, of making it easier to keep the support away from the surface of the deflector and to continue forced travel of the print support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Diffusion de Materiel et d'Imprimerie
    Inventors: Rene Nouhant, Sébastien Nouhant
  • Patent number: 8186613
    Abstract: A device and method are provided for continuously manufacturing a thermoplastic resin film product of any width having a small film thickness and uniform flat surface at an excellent yield. A tubular resin film cutting and winding device for cutting a tubular resin film 1a into a helical shape and winding a long film 1b, comprising a cutting device having a cutting member 2 for cutting a tubular resin film 1a; a winding device 4 for winding the cut long film 1b; and a guide rollers 3 for guiding the cut long film to the winding device, wherein the cutting member 2 and the guide rollers 3 have a mechanism for rotation in the circumferential direction of the tubular resin film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Sumitomo Bakelite Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Toyotaro Maruyama, Masanori Ikenaga, Takeshi Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 8177940
    Abstract: A web stabilizer adapted to stabilize a web moving across a span between two components of a web machine or machines, the stabilizer including: a surface facing and adjacent the moving web, and at least one transition in the surface of the stabilizer, wherein the transition is a protrusion or recess in the surface between a leading edge of the stabilizer facing a direction of web travel and a trailing edge of the stabilizer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Andritz Inc.
    Inventors: Gerald Kramer, Alain Chamberland, Rudy Chang, Paul Richards, Kurt Mitterboeck, Edward Brossard, Joseph Guadagno, Dave Gamble
  • Patent number: 8167229
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a reeling apparatus (1) for fiber web by which fiber web may be wound to successive reels (4). The reeling apparatus has cutting devices (6) for cutting the web during a reel change, the cutting device being provided with at least one cutting head (6.2) disposed movable in a direction essentially transverse to the web direction to cut the web. A contactless web supporting arrangement (7) is been provided in operational connection with the cutting device to maintain the running of the web stable in a controlled manner during the cutting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Metso Paper, Inc.
    Inventors: Petri Enwald, Teppo Kojo, Per-Olof Malmqvist, Mika-Petteri Lannes, Tatu Markus Kristian Pitkänen, Topi Jussi Tynkkynen
  • Patent number: 7967176
    Abstract: A cutting and transport roller for material webs includes media outlet openings in its peripheral surface to which varying pressure can be applied to control the seating pattern of the material web on the peripheral surface of the roller. The roller has a system of pressure feed lines by which the media outlet openings are connected to means for supplying the media. The roller has at least one pressure reservoir that is a part of the pressure feed line system and that can be connected by a valve to at least one part of the media outlet openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Windmoeller & Hoelscher KG
    Inventors: Thomas Altesellmeier, Oliver Koser, Rolf Kammann, Werner Decker
  • Patent number: 7938355
    Abstract: The device includes a supporting surface, with an initial curved surface portion, and a substantially flat surface portion. Above the supporting surface, extends at least part of a first path and of a second path of a first ply and of a second ply. The two paths are disposed adjacent to the supporting surface and the initial curved surface portion has a convexity facing the first path. Also provided is a system to supply air between the first path of the first ply and the supporting surface, to help support the web material with respect to the supporting surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Fabio Perini S.p.A.
    Inventor: Angelo Benvenuti
  • Patent number: 7775475
    Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a winding drum for a sheet-like member which can change reliably the range of air sucking intake holes by a simple structure, and to provide a winding drum which can prevent the generation of an unwanted contact mark on the sheet-like member. This winding drum having a hollow portion which is in communication with the intake holes of the drum body, a changeover member which is releasably attached in the hollow portion and which is formed so as to extend along the inner peripheral surface of the hollow portion, and an air passage (second communicating holes, first communicating hole, and hole) which is provided on the changeover member and which communicates intake holes of a predetermined range in the axial direction of the drum body with the suction device when the changeover member is attached in the hollow portion. So the range of air sucking intake holes is switched by changing the changeover member to another changeover member with another air passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshio Tanaka, Youichi Kikuchi, Haruhisa Hasegawa
  • Patent number: 7753242
    Abstract: A suction roller system includes a suction roller and a control head having a ventilation zone situated at a face side of the suction roller. The suction roller system allows rapid ventilation of the suction bores situated on the face side opposite the control head via a cost-advantageous and space-saving expansion. For this purpose, the suction roller is equipped, on the second face side, with a closure plate having an opening that corresponds to the ventilation zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Winkler + Duennebier AG
    Inventor: Reinhard Raueiser
  • Patent number: 7654427
    Abstract: The present invention provides a suction roller which is capable of being adopted for sucking an object. The suction roller is provided with a negative pressure inside thereof and at least one opening for sucking the object by at least one valve disposed in each opening respectively for selectively controlling the on-off of the negative pressure through the opening. During the rotation of the suction roller, the valves in a specific area are capable of being opened so that the negative pressure can pass through the openings with respect to the opened valve to suck the object and transport the object subsequently. In another embodiment, the present invention also provides a transporting apparatus combining the suction roller and a guiding mechanism for transporting the object and compensating the shifting during the moving of the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Chih-Jen Tsai, Chang-Chou Li, Chung-Hsin Hsiao
  • Patent number: 7530179
    Abstract: Step air foil particularly for one-sided flotation of a running web, and web dryer incorporating the same. The air foil includes two discharge slots which allow for increased draw down force, which flattens machine direction wrinkles in a floating web. The air foil includes a primary discharge slot and a second discharge slot spaced from and stepped down from the primary discharge slot, a first web support surface between the primary discharge slot and the secondary discharge slot, and a second web support surface downstream of the secondary discharge slot in the direction of web travel. The air foil is in communication with an air supply which provides a supply of air that is uniformly distributed to the primary and secondary slots. Air discharged from the primary slot is gathered into the air stream of the secondary slot and creates an increased air cushion to provide greater support to the moving web and thereby remove machine direction web wrinkles caused by higher tension in light weight webs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: MegTec Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael O. Rocheleau
  • Patent number: 7422132
    Abstract: A vacuum belt conveyor for a web forming machine intended for transporting a web threading tail (24) has lateral guidance. The vacuum belt conveyor has a frame construction (16) with two rolls (17, 18), an air-permeable belt loop (21) and guiding equipment (22) for providing lateral guidance. The guiding equipment (22) is composed of air blows (25), which are arranged on both sides of the web threading tail (24) and near the web threading tail (24) receiving end of the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Inventor: Juha Laitio
  • Patent number: 7300018
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for stabilizing high speed running along a longitudinal direction, of a band (4) applied on a rotary surface (3) and along which a portion of the surrounding air forms a boundary layer (43) trapped with the band (4). According to the invention, a deflecting member (5) is placed in the dihedron (G) between the band (4) and the rotary surface (3). Said deflecting member (5) has a face (50) directed toward the band which is tilted with respect thereto and is fitted with at least one orifice (55) emerging into an inner space (51) provided inside said deflecting member (5) and connected to an outer zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: Siemens Vai Metals Technologies SAS
    Inventors: Thierry Malard, Marc Valence, Christian Viel
  • Patent number: 7210606
    Abstract: A web conveyor is provided having a frame, a pair of conveyor rails, and at least one sag rail. The pair of conveyor rails is carried by the frame in laterally spaced-apart relation. The pair of conveyor rails is configured to support and convey respective edges of a thermoformable web of plastic material. The at least one sag rail includes a friction-reducing material provided along at least a portion of a top edge of the sag rail. The sag rail is provided between the conveyor rails and extends longitudinally along a web travel path. The sag rail is configured to support a web of material intermediate the conveyor rails. A web support apparatus having one or more of friction-reducing material, local, raised portions, and a temperature regulator is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Inventors: Jere F. Irwin, Dale L. Vantrease
  • Patent number: 7040519
    Abstract: A web conveyor is provided having a frame, a pair of conveyor rails, and at least one sag rail. The pair of conveyor rails is carried by the frame in laterally spaced-apart relation. The pair of conveyor rails is configured to support and convey respective edges of a thermoformable web of plastic material. The at least one sag rail includes a friction-reducing material provided along at least a portion of a top edge of the sag rail. The sag rail is provided between the conveyor rails and extends longitudinally along a web travel path. The sag rail is configured to support a web of material intermediate the conveyor rails. A web support apparatus having one or more of friction-reducing material, local, raised portions, and a temperature regulator is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Inventors: Jere F. Irwin, Dale L. Vantrease
  • Patent number: 6936137
    Abstract: A device for non-contact support of a continuous moving web of material employs an air clamp stabilizer that includes a Coanda slot and a backstep that is located downstream of the direction of the airflow extending from the Coanda slot. This configuration permits a Coanda jet to expand and to create an additional suction force. Vortex formation may also occur which further contributes to the strength of the suction force. As the web passes the stabilizer, an area of the web material rides on an air bearing that is maintained above the stabilizer surface and downstream of the backstep.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Stefan Moeller, Steven Axelrod, Jenson Luis
  • Publication number: 20040251370
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for unwinding a roll of web material are disclosed herein. The web material is unwound from the roll and the machine direction of motion of the web is altered without creating a problematic span of web material. A value analogous to the tension of the web material is determined. The speed of the web is adjusted according to the analog of the tension of the web. The apparatus can comprise an unwind stand to rotate the roll, and a means for altering the direction of travel of the web material. The apparatus further comprises a means to determine an analog of the web material tension and a means of controlling the speed of the web according to the analog of the web tension. The web material is routed to a downstream process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2003
    Publication date: December 16, 2004
    Inventors: Bruce Jerome Solberg, David Kent Mattheis
  • Patent number: 6805318
    Abstract: An apparatus is described for guiding a metal band (1) on a gas cushion with blowing boxes (4) which are disposed one after the other in the longitudinal direction (3) of the band and whose nozzle fields (5) which extend transversally to the longitudinal direction (3) of the band comprise hole-type nozzles (6) distributed over the field surface area and slotted nozzles (8) along the edges (7) which extend transversally to longitudinal direction (3) of the band. In order to provide advantageous constructional conditions it is proposed that the slotted nozzles (8) along the edges (7) consist of several nozzle slots (9) which are arranged one after the other parallel to the edge and are inclined inwardly with respect to the edge (7) starting from the respective center (10) of the edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Inventor: Peter Ebner
  • Patent number: 6786449
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an angle-bar arrangement for deflecting material webs on an angle-bar jacket (1) which is provided with a plurality of air outlet openings (2). Closing elements (6), which seal off respective air outlet openings (2), are movably accommodated in the angle-bar jacket (1). Compressed air enters into the hollow space bounded by the movably accommodated closing elements (6). The movable closing elements (6), whose outer contour (7) corresponds to the inner wall (3) of the angle-bar jacket (1), are driven independently of one another by actuators (18, 20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Thierry Marcle-Geler, Jean Mariotti
  • Patent number: 6651923
    Abstract: The invention concerns a method and a device in a paper machine, coating machine, intermediate winder, unwind stand of a slitter-winder, or in any other device for treatment of a web. In the event of disturbance, the web (P) is made to be wound in a controlled way around at least one web guide roll (18a).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: Metso Paper, Inc.
    Inventors: Jorma Kinnunen, Silvo Mikkonen, Jukka Linnonmaa
  • Publication number: 20030146340
    Abstract: An apparatus is described for guiding a metal band (1) on a gas cushion with blowing boxes (4) which are disposed one after the other in the longitudinal direction (3) of the band and whose nozzle fields (5) which extend transversally to the longitudinal direction (3) of the band comprise hole-type nozzles (6) distributed over the field surface area and slotted nozzles (8) along the edges (7) which extend transversally to longitudinal direction (3) of the band. In order to provide advantageous constructional conditions it is proposed that the slotted nozzles (8) along the edges (7) consist of several nozzle slots (9) which are arranged one after the other parallel to the edge and are inclined inwardly with respect to the edge (7) starting from the respective center (10) of the edge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2002
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Inventor: Peter Ebner
  • Patent number: 6543662
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for transporting a web having at least one table element including at least one inclined blowing device (4a-4d), at least one rounded hump (8), and at least one sucking device (6a-6c) between the at least one blowing device (4a-4d) and the at least one rounded hump (8). The rounded hump (8) allows the sucking of air without any risk of tearing or breaking the web (3). The limited amount of air ensures high transport forces, and increased efficiency of the transport system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Heinz Kuhlmann, Eckehard Fiedler
  • Publication number: 20030047642
    Abstract: An apparatus is described for guiding a metal band (1) on a gas cushion with blowing boxes (4) which are disposed one after the other in the longitudinal direction (3) of the band and which comprise nozzle fields (5) which extend transversally to the longitudinal direction (3) of the band and comprise hole-type nozzles (6) distributed over the field surface area. In order to provide advantageous constructional conditions it is proposed that the nozzle fields (5) are provided with a convex basic shape through field sections (1, 3) which slope in at least one end section at either side transversally to the longitudinal direction of the band.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2002
    Publication date: March 13, 2003
    Inventor: Peter Ebner
  • Patent number: 6511015
    Abstract: A method and a device for stabilizing the web run in a paper machine or the like having a blow suction module (12) mounted above and/or below the web. The blow suction module comprises a blow nozzle unit (14) extending across the web, through which gas, such as air or combustion gas, is blown against the web (10) from the blow nozzle unit, and a first air discharge unit (18) arranged on the front side of the blow nozzle unit, and a second air discharge unit (22) arranged on the back side of the blow nozzle unit, which remove air or gas from between the web and the blow suction module. The blow suction module is asymmetric regarding the first and second air discharge units, so that more air or gas is discharged via the first air discharge unit than via the second air discharge unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2003
    Assignee: Metso Paper, Inc.
    Inventors: Pertti Heikkilä, Olli Huhtala, Heli Kankare, Richard Solin
  • Patent number: 6397495
    Abstract: An air bar for steering a web of material has a hollow interior subjected to an air bar supply pressure. At least one air jet exit is connected to the hollow interior of the air bar. A metering device is assigned to the hollow interior of the air bar for varying the air pressured formed below the web of material for moving the web of material in a lateral direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Neil Doherty, Lawrence E. Zagar
  • Patent number: 6364247
    Abstract: The present invention provides a pneumatic flotation device for use in a continuous web processing system for continuously processing paper and other flexible materials and a method of making the pneumatic flotation device. The pneumatic floatation device replaces the rolls, idlers and air bars currently used in continuous processing systems. The pneumatic floatation device includes a microporous sheet attached to a suitable pneumatic support structure. The microporous sheet has a smooth exterior layer with regularly spaced pores that enables air to pass therethrough. The interior layer of the sheet is an open structure metal fabric that enables air to move freely along two axes of the sheet parallel to the exterior layer while in contact with the pneumatic support structure. In one preferred embodiment, the pneumatic support structure includes a rigid tube and an airflow device in fluid communication with the microporous sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Inventor: David T. Polkinghorne
  • Patent number: 6332588
    Abstract: A coiling machine for hot rolled stock with a thickness of between 0.5 and more than 5 mm, arranged downstream of a rolling train and a shears assembly (11). The coiling machine comprising a turntable assembly (12) rotating around an axis of rotation (13) orthogonal to the axis of feed of the rolled stock and lying on a plane substantially parallel to the plane of feed (14) of the rolled stock. The turntable assembly (12) supporting two coiling mandrels (15a, 15b) each arranged diametrically opposite each other and with an axis parallel to the turntable axis of rotation (13).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2001
    Assignee: Danieli & C. Officine Meccaniche Spa
    Inventors: Fausto Drigani, Giacinto Dal Pan, Cesare Galletti
  • Patent number: 6241179
    Abstract: A wall is provided on one side of a web of paper or the like traveling along a predefined path, and an airstream is produced between the wall and the traveling web approximately in the direction of web travel. A transverse static pressure gradient is established across the airstream, causing the stream to flow close to the wall surface. This phenomenon is called as the Coanda effect. A partial vacuum created in the airstream causes the web to deflect from its normal path and to be drawn to the wall surface under sufficient pressure to be kept from fluttering. This method of web flutter control is applied to the splicing of webs, as from one roll to another in a web-fed rotary printing press. The web being unwound from the old roll has been susceptible to fluttering while being spliced to the new roll, such web fluttering being eliminable by providing a wall member along the web path and producing an airstream between the web and the wall member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2001
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokyo Kikai Seisakusho
    Inventors: Tadashi Hachiya, Yukio Ogawa, Katsumi Aoki
  • Patent number: 6231001
    Abstract: A nozzle array for levitational guidance of web material. The nozzle array includes a sequence of nozzle areas in the transport direction of the web which are peripherally encompassed at least in part by fanned jets and their width varies in the direction transversely to the web transport direction. The nozzle areas may be equipped with orifice nozzles. Located between the nozzle areas are return flow zones which may be configured as return flow passageways open towards the web, whereby their cross-section is flared in the direction of the edges of the nozzle array. The nozzle areas may be v-shaped relative to their longitudinal axis oriented in the transport direction of the web. Clusters of nozzle areas may be arranged juxtaposed as viewed in the web transport direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Assignee: Ingenieurgemeinschaft WSP, Prof. Dr.-Ing. C. Kramer, Prof. Dipl.-Ing. H. J. Gerhardt M. S.
    Inventors: Carl Kramer, Eckehard Fiedler