Gas Or Vapor Circulation For Contact With Treated Material Patents (Class 34/114)
  • Patent number: 5946821
    Abstract: A device for the moistening of a running web of material with the aid of steam includes a housing which has a treatment side facing the web of material. The treatment side includes steam exit openings. The device further includes a front side disposed at the incoming end of the treatment side. In the area of the front side, over part of its length in a direction toward the web, a projecting rail is placed over the treatment side and has a working edge that faces toward the web of material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Assignee: V.I.B. Apparatebau GmbH
    Inventor: Stefan Winheim
  • Patent number: 5942322
    Abstract: An apparatus for drying an embryonic web. The apparatus comprises a micropore medium having pores therethrough. The pores are the limiting orifice in the air flow used in the drying process. The micropore medium has a surface oriented towards and preferably contacting the web to be dried. This surface has a relatively low surface energy, and preferably a surface energy of less than 46 dynes per centimeter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1999
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Donald Eugene Ensign, Paul Dennis Trokhan, Michael Gomer Stelljes, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5937538
    Abstract: Apparatus for drying a web and modifying the moisture profile of the web includes a housing within which is disposed a through air dryer roll supporting a web. A fan located at an end of the roll causes flow of air through the web while the web is on the roll and through openings in the roll into the interior of the roll. The air then flows through a roll end and into the interior of the housing externally of the roll for recirculation back into the roll interior through the web and through the openings in the roll. Heaters heat the flowing air and are used to modify the moisture profile of the web. The apparatus is very compact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Assignee: Fort James Corporation
    Inventor: John R. Joiner
  • Patent number: 5933977
    Abstract: The dryer section in a papermaking machine has a single tier of all top felted dryer rolls six to nine feet in diameter. Air caps are employed over the dryer rolls to simultaneously dry both sides of the web to prevent curl and to increase drying rates. The air caps employ blown air at a temperature of 250-900 degrees Fahrenheit and air speeds of 8,000-40,000 feet per minute. The dryer fabric employed is foraminous with a permeability of between 300-1,200 cubic feet per minute per square foot and is designed to withstand peak temperatures of up to 900 degrees Fahrenheit and average temperatures of between 500-600 degrees Fahrenheit. A single transfer roll, or more advantageously, two grooved vacuum rolls in a vacuum box are disposed between the dryer rolls to maximize the circumferential wrap of the web and, at the same time, support and transport the web between dryer rolls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Assignee: Beloit Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Rajendra D. Deshpande, Jeffrey H. Pulkowski
  • Patent number: 5933981
    Abstract: In the device disclosed, a paper web is carried on a belt and stabilized by an underpressure produced by a box opposite the roll, the paper web being sucked by the underpressure against the belt. Located in the box, immediately following the underpressure zone, may be a pressure zone which assists to transfer the paper web to the roll. In an alternative embodiment, a fan can be avoided. Instead the air entrained by the rapidly running belt is deflected by a wedge-shaped deflector and passed over a slit to generate an underpressure inside the box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Assignee: Voith Sulzer Papiermaschinen Gesellschaft mbH
    Inventor: Andreas Meschenmoser
  • Patent number: 5921000
    Abstract: A dryer section employs top-felted and bottom-felted dryer sections each comprised of a single steam-heated drying cylinder with a diameter of about 12 feet. The web is transferred between drying cylinders by a two vacuum roll transfer without an open draw. The dryer fabric wrap on the large dryer cylinders is over 270 degrees resulting in large drying capability per dryer roll. Because each large dryer is followed by another large dryer roll which dries the opposite side of the web, uniformity of drying is maintained. Each dryer cylinder may have its own dryer fabric stretcher and guides. Alternatively, individual dryer fabrics service multiple top-felted dryers and bottom-felted dryers respectively. The web is constrained approximately 96 percent of the time as it passes through the is dryer section. The dryer section can achieve 2.9 inches of dryer surface in the machine direction for every inch of dryer section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Assignee: Beloit Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory L. Wedel, Jeffrey H. Pulkowski
  • Patent number: 5915813
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for drying a wet web and modifying the moisture profile of the web. A plurality of gas burners are located within the interior of a through air dryer hood to variably heat air passing through the hood interior before it contacts a wet web on a through air dryer web support. The flowing air within the hood interior is divided into air flow portions directed toward different incremental width portions of the wet web. The burners are separately controlled to vary the heat of the individual flowing air portions to provide a uniform web moisture profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1999
    Assignee: Fort James Corporation
    Inventor: John R. Joiner
  • Patent number: 5894681
    Abstract: Method and equipment for the manufacture of corrugated paper products includes separate heaters for preparing liner and medium components. Data regarding these components is collected and an optimum conditioning for the components is determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1999
    Assignee: Inland Container Corporation
    Inventors: Jerome J. Klockenkemper, Dennis M. Judge, Charles D. Moore
  • Patent number: 5881472
    Abstract: A ventilator apparatus is disclosed for supplying air from a source of pressurized air between a dryer and a web supported by a felt extending around a roll of a single tier drying section. The apparatus includes a housing which is connected to the source of pressurized air. The housing defines a nozzle for directing a flow therethrough of a current of air. The flow is directed from the nozzle towards a diverging nip defined between the dryer and the web supported by the felt when the felt diverges away from the dryer prior to the felt extending around the roll. The arrangement is such that the flow of air compensates for an underpressure generated by the felt when diverging away from the dryer so that fluttering of the web is inhibited.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1999
    Assignee: Beloit Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas K. Grunder, Remi Turcotte, David Young
  • Patent number: 5862613
    Abstract: A method and device for drying a paper web in a dryer section having a number of successive dryer groups with a single-wire draw, and being situated after a press section of the paper machine. Each dryer group includes contact-drying cylinders arranged in a first row and reversing suction cylinders or equivalent suction rolls arranged in a second row, the rows being horizontal, diagonal or vertical rows. The paper web is dried by contact-drying cylinders from the side of its lower face across the entire length of the dryer section. The paper web is passed as a closed draw from one dryer group to the next group, and the paper web is guided, while it runs on the drying wire at the side of the outside curve, by the reversing suction cylinders having a curve radius selected in a range from about 250 mm to about 1000 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1999
    Assignee: Valmet Corporation
    Inventors: Reima Kerttula, Jouko Yli-Kauppila
  • Patent number: 5830321
    Abstract: A method for improving the rush transfer of a web, such as a tissue web, is disclosed. The method provides for greater angles of convergence and divergence of the carrier fabric and the transfer fabric at the point of transfer by deflecting the carrier fabric toward the transfer fabric using a deflection element, such as a roll, positioned opposite the vacuum transfer head. The greater angles of convergence and divergence minimize the potential for undesirable macrofolds being formed in the web during transfer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Dean Lindsay, Fung-jou Chen
  • Patent number: 5830275
    Abstract: A coating apparatus comprises a device for applying a liquid coating medium to a moving paper web, and a drying device with at least one web deflecting roll which guides the web with the aid of an air cushion and without the web coming into physical contact with the roll. The roll rotates in the direction of movement of the web. The air cushion flows between the web and the deflection roll in the direction of movement of the web. In the vicinity of the deflection roll at least one non-contact drying device is arranged in the path of the web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Assignee: Voith Sulzer Papiermaschinen GmbH
    Inventor: Stefan Reich
  • Patent number: 5820733
    Abstract: A novel sheet transfer stabilizer is provided for transferring a fibrous wet sheet from a press section to a dryer section of a paper-making machine by way of a felt. The sheet transfer stabilizer includes a composite Venturi box which is disposed between a felt roll of the press section and a first dryer. The Venturi box includes three side-by-side Venturis, an inlet Venturi, an outlet Venturi, and a main Venturi. Such Venturi boxes are used to create and maintain a vacuum in the felt/web system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1998
    Inventor: Ralph Mancini
  • Patent number: 5782009
    Abstract: A device for guiding a sheet of fibrous material to be dried and a support belt through a drying device. The device including an external suction box having first and second openings located adjacent a deflection roll and adjacent to a lift-off point associated with a first dryer cylinder, respectively. The external suction box also including a first and second aspiration conduit respectively associated with the first and second openings. The deflection roll may be aspirated by an external vacuum souce coupled to the external suction box. The fibrous sheet, through the support belt, may be assisted at the lift-off point by aspiration by a separate external vacuum source coupled to the second aspiration conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1998
    Assignee: Voith Sulzer Papiermaschinen GmbH
    Inventor: Gerhard Kotitschke
  • Patent number: 5778559
    Abstract: A device for the moistening of a running web of material with the aid of stream includes a housing which has a treatment side facing the web of material. The treatment side includes steam exit openings. The device further includes a front side disposed at the incoming end of the treatment side. In the area of the front side, over part of its length in a direction toward the web, a projecting rail is placed over the treatment side and has a working edge that faces toward the web of material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1998
    Assignee: V.I.B. Apparatebau GmbH
    Inventor: Stefan Winheim
  • Patent number: 5775001
    Abstract: A method and device for drying a paper web in a dryer section having a number of successive dryer groups with a single-wire draw, and being situated after a press section of the paper machine. Each dryer group includes contact-drying cylinders arranged in a first row and reversing suction cylinders or equivalent suction rolls arranged in a second row, the rows being horizontal, diagonal or vertical rows. The paper web is dried by contact-drying cylinders from the side of its lower face across the entire length of the dryer section. The paper web is passed as a closed draw from one dryer group to the next group, and the paper web is guided, while it runs on the drying wire at the side of the outside curve, by the reversing suction cylinders having a curve radius selected in a range from about 250 mm to about 1000 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1998
    Assignee: Valmet Corporation
    Inventors: Reima Kerttula, Jouko Yli-Kauppila
  • Patent number: 5771602
    Abstract: A method and device for drying a coating on a paper web or equivalent in which the direction of running of the paper web is turned, free of contact, by blowings produced by a turning device and the coating on the paper web is dried free of contact by blowings of drying devices placed at both sides of the paper web. The direction of running of the paper web is turned by drying blowings. The exhaust air of the turning device and drying device, which is placed at the side of the turning device, is removed from direct vicinity of the paper web or equivalent by a common exhaust device. The turning device and drying device are placed under and within a common box construction so that access of the exhaust air into the surrounding space is prevented. The device includes a turning device for turning the running direction of the paper web free of contact and a drying device for contact-free drying of the coating on the paper web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1998
    Assignee: Valmet Corporation
    Inventors: Pertti Heikkila, Bertel Karlstedt
  • Patent number: 5770015
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a drying section of a paper machine for drying a fiber web. The drying section includes a plurality of drying groups, with each drying group having a plurality of heatable drying cylinders and a continuous hold-down belt. The hold-down belt has a longitudinal tension which biases the fiber web against the drying cylinders. The plurality of drying groups include at least one high-pressure group comprising a single-row drying group having one row of drying cylinders and one row of corresponding deflection rolls. The high-pressure group has a corresponding hold-down belt with a longitudinal tension which is at least 10 kN/m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1998
    Assignee: Voith Sulzer Papiermaschinen GmbH
    Inventors: Udo Grossmann, Albrecht Meinecke, Hans Loser
  • Patent number: 5759352
    Abstract: An apparatus for stabilizing a low-strength sheet having a width and a top surface and moving in a first direction at a rate sufficient to entrain air. The apparatus includes an airfoil adapted to extend along the top surface of the sheet. The airfoil, in turn, includes:a bottom surface adapted to extend along a portion of the top surface of the sheet;a first surface extending a first distance from the bottom surface at a first juncture;a second surface extending a second distance from the bottom surface at a second juncture; anda top surface extending from the first surface at a third juncture to the second surface at a fourth juncture. The first distance in general is less than the second distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1998
    Inventors: Jark C. Lau, Philip Sim Lin
  • Patent number: 5756156
    Abstract: A method for producing surface-treated paper, in particular of fine paper, and a dry end of a paper machine that makes use of the method. A paper web that has been dewatered by pressing is dried in the forward dryer section, in which drying energy is applied to the paper web over the entire length of the forward dryer section asymmetrically in the z-direction from the side of the bottom face of the web. This step is carried out by a number of successive groups with single-wire draw that are open downward. In this manner, shrinkage of the web both in the machine direction and in the cross direction is reduced or at least partially prevented, which shrinkage tends to take place when the dry solids content becomes higher. Paper broke is removed from underneath the drying groups that are open downward substantially by the force of gravity onto the broke conveyor placed underneath.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1998
    Assignee: Valmet Corporation
    Inventors: Seppo Elijoki, Heikki Ilvespaa, Antti Kuhasalo, Reima Kerttula
  • Patent number: 5752324
    Abstract: The invention relates to a steam blower box for the application of steam onto a material web passing by, for example onto a paper web that is to be dewatered and is passing through the press section of a paper-manufacturing machine. The steam blower box extends, transverse to the web travel direction, over the entire web width and comprises a plurality of zone chambers, that are arranged side by side over the web width and are covered by a perforated steam exit panel. Each zone chamber is connected to a steam source via a control valve of its own. The steam exit panel can be removed for purposes of cleaning the zone chambers. Each of the zone chambers comprises a perforated panel insert which is likewise removable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1998
    Assignee: Voith Sulzer Papiermaschinen GmbH
    Inventors: Dieter Muller, Markus Oechsle
  • Patent number: 5737848
    Abstract: A drying section for drying a traveling web of paper, which has successive drying groups each having drying cylinders, a felt or wire belt supporting the traveling web and resting against the drying cylinders, and guide rolls serving for the guiding of the web to be dried and of the felt or wire belt. The guide rolls are so arranged that the traveling web is guided in meandering form in the transfer region between two successive drying cylinders associated with different felt or wire belts. The transfer region is between the felts of two successive drying groups or the transfer region is between two felts in the two rows of a two tier drying group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1998
    Assignee: Voith Sulzer Papiermaschinen GmbH
    Inventors: Tri Chau-Huu, Albrecht Meinecke
  • Patent number: 5738760
    Abstract: To accomplish a web transfer, which in reliability is comparable to the one obtained with a closed draw, in any operating environment, but especially where it is desirable to transfer a fast running tissue web (4) from the drying section of a tissue machine, e.g., a Yankee dryer (2), to a reel-up (3), a web support device (10) extends across the width of the web (4) and along a predetermined run of the web (4) from the Yankee dryer (2) to the reel-up (3). The web support device has a support surface (11) formed by a series of plate member assemblies (23) having means for creating a flow of air in the direction of the web run. Between the web (4) and the support surface (11) the flow of air forms an air layer (15) of reduced static pressure, so as to stabilize the web (4) against flutter. The predetermined run may extend through a calender (7) and past scanner equipment (8). Pneumatic tail threading capabilities may be included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1998
    Assignee: Valmet-Karlstad AB
    Inventors: Tord O.S. Svanqvist, B. Lennart H. Ortemo
  • Patent number: 5728930
    Abstract: A method and device for measuring the permeability of a drying wire to air in which the measurement is carried out continuously while the drying wire moves. The drying wire is guided to run so that it passes over a blow box and a measurement box free of contact, and the pressure in the measurement box and/or the relative change in the pressure is/are measured when the blow box is creating a pressure differential between the blow box and the measurement box in the vicinity of the wire. The pressure and/or the relative change in the pressure is/are compared with earlier measurement results and/or starting values (reference values). The permeability to air of the drying wire is determined on the basis of comparison of the pressure and/or of the relative change in the pressure, and the contact-free measurement is produced by guiding the flow into or out of the measurement box to pass through a gap between the measurement box and the drying wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1998
    Assignee: Valmet Corporation
    Inventor: Raimo Virta
  • Patent number: 5722180
    Abstract: Apparatus for drying a wet web, such as a wet paper web, includes a through air dryer roll. A rotatable fan member having fan blades is located within the through air dryer roll interior at one end of the through air dryer roll. Rotation of the fan member causes air flow through a web on the through air dryer roll, through openings of the through air dryer roll into the through air dryer roll interior, through the end of the through air dryer roll accommodating the fan member, and through an air flow passageway to the exterior of the through air dryer roll.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1998
    Assignee: Fort James Corporation
    Inventor: John R. Joiner
  • Patent number: 5720109
    Abstract: A method and device for contact drying a paper web, wherein the paper web is dried initially in a number of successive groups with single-wire draw by pressing the paper web via drying wires of each groups against the heated faces of the drying cylinders and by guiding the paper web on support of the same drying wire from one drying cylinder onto the next drying cylinder over the reversing suction cylinders or rolls in each group with single-wire draw. In the groups with single-wire draw, the paper web is dried to a first dry solids content, after which the paper web is dried directly further by a single group with twin-wire draw to a second dry solids content, after which the paper web is dried further to its final dry solids content by a single normal group with single-wire draw. The limits of the first and second dry solids contents are selected so that, in the middle or in the beginning of the range, the tear strength index and the breaking strength index of the web are at their maximum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1998
    Assignee: Valmet Corporation
    Inventor: Jouko Yli-Kauppila
  • Patent number: 5711088
    Abstract: A device is arranged in the drying section of a papermaking machine for reducing the effects of the tendency of a paper web (4) to adhere to a drying cylinder (1) as it passes from the drying cylinder to a subsequent guide roll (2). In the drying section, the paper web (4), supported by a drying fabric (5), is conducted alternatingly over a plurality of drying cylinders (1) and guide rolls (2). A blow box (6) is arranged in the transition portion (A) and has a wall (7) extending in parallel with the drying fabric (5) so as to form a narrow air gap (8) between the wall and the drying fabric. The blow box (6) comprises nozzle (12) having a slot-shaped opening for ejecting a well-defined air jet (P1) towards the drying fabric (5) away from the air gap (8). The nozzle (12) is directed such that its center plane intersects the circumferential surface of the drying cylinder (1) along a first straight line positioned upstream of a second line, along which the paper web (4) leaves the drying cylinder (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1998
    Assignee: ABB Flakt AB
    Inventors: Niclas Lindqvist, Claes Halldin
  • Patent number: 5711087
    Abstract: Apparatus for distributing a heating medium, such as steam or hot air, to a paper web or calendar roll in sheet making machinery includes a removable profile screen to permit easy cleaning and maintenance. The apparatus comprises an elongated chamber to receive steam or hot air from a supply source with a front wall adapted to receive a removable screen. The removable screen is flexible and defines at least a portion of the front wall conforming generally to the shape of the adjacent surface to be heated. The screen member has a plurality of apertures through which the heating medium is forced to heat the surface. The screen is removably mounted to the apparatus by clip members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1998
    Assignee: Measurex Devron Inc.
    Inventor: Milo Pazdera
  • Patent number: 5689897
    Abstract: A steam blast box for applying steam to a web of paper conducted over a roll of a paper machine. The box has a closed steam blast chamber which extends along the roll transverse to the direction of travel of the web and to which steam can be fed. The front wall of the box, which faces the roll, has a plurality of steam outlet openings. A steam propagation space is formed between the front wall of the steam blast box and the roll. For controlling the temperature and/or for regulating the amount of heat transferred to the web of paper in the steam propagation space, an air outlet channel, which extends transverse to the direction of travel of the web and is located at the web inlet end of the steam propagation space, is provided for the admixing of air in the steam. In this way, sensitive separate, zone-wise control of the heating of the paper web can be obtained. The steam propagation space can be cooled zone-wise by feeding air on the inlet side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1997
    Assignee: Voith Sulzer Papiermaschinen GmbH
    Inventor: Christian Schiel
  • Patent number: 5678321
    Abstract: A new dryer section or an existing dryer section of the two tier double-felted type has air caps disposed over the upper dryer rolls to simultaneously dry both sides of the web to increase drying rates. The heated pressurized air is blown through multiple air impingement holes in the air cap nozzle plates to impinge the web at a temperature of 500-900 degrees Fahrenheit and air speeds of 20,000-40,000 feet per minute. The dryer fabric employed is foraminous with a permeability of between 400-1,200 cubic feet per minute per square foot and is designed to withstand peak temperatures of up to 900 degrees Fahrenheit and average temperatures of between 500-600 degrees Fahrenheit. The design of the air caps utilizes recirculation of the blowing air to control drying rates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 21, 1997
    Assignee: Beloit Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Rajendra D. Deshpande, Jeffrey H. Pulkowski
  • Patent number: 5666740
    Abstract: A hood for a wire part and/or a press section in a paper/board machine including walls and a ceiling which form a closed hood around the wire part and/or press section, air-conditioning or another air-control system being arranged in connection with the hood. The hood walls have outer and inner walls which define an air duct therebetween for passing a replacement air flow into the interior of the hood, preferably toward a middle area of the paper machine, through openings in the inner wall, the replacement air keeping the interior of the hood substantially dry and clean. The walls of the hood include a vertical side wall at the driving side, which wall is preferably fixed, and a tending-side vertical side wall and a ceiling formed as a single wall which is preferably L-shaped and displaceable. The displaceable hood wall at the tending side has two parts so that the first hood wall is placed by the wire section and the second hood wall is placed by the press section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 16, 1997
    Assignee: Valmet Corporation
    Inventors: Antti Leinonen, Henrik Pettersson, Risto Salminen, Hannu Niemikko, Juha Kivimaa, Pertti Heikkila, Tapio Lento, Erkki Kiilavuori
  • Patent number: 5659976
    Abstract: Method and equipment for the manufacture of corrugated paper products includes separate heaters for preparing liner and medium components. Data regarding these components is collected and an optimum conditioning for the components is determined. High voltage sensors, associated electronic circuitry and computer controls are used to determine surface moisture values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 26, 1997
    Assignee: Inland Paperboard and Packaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Jerome J. Klockenkemper, Dennis M. Judge, Charles Douglas Moore
  • Patent number: 5651863
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for treating a sheet material (3) with an arrangement of rollers (6, 7), including at least one heated roller (8, 9), which defines at least one roller gap through which the sheet of material is passed and acted upon with pressure and/or elevated temperature. A housing (32) surrounds the roller arrangement (6, 7) and the treatment takes place in an environmental atmosphere, the temperature and/or humidity of which can be adjusted to a specified value. A roll of the sheet material is subjected to pretreatment to provide it with desired temperature and humidity conditions before entering the housing (32).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 29, 1997
    Assignee: Voith Sulzer Finishing GmbH
    Inventors: Rolf Van Haag, Ulrich Rothfuss
  • Patent number: 5625961
    Abstract: A limiting orifice through-air-drying apparatus for papermaking or other absorbent embryonic webs. The apparatus has a first zone and a second zone. The first zone is maintained at a differential pressure less than the breakthrough pressure, while the second zone is maintained at a differential pressure greater than the breakthrough pressure. The residence time of the embryonic web to be dried with the apparatus is maintained at preferably less than 35 milliseconds on the first zone. Using the dual zone system described above, the overall energy required to run the apparatus can be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 6, 1997
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Donald E. Ensign, Michael G. Stelljes, Jr., Paul D. Trokhan
  • Patent number: 5613307
    Abstract: A jacket with a thermally insulating layer partially surrounds, at a small spacing, a heatable roll which serves for the treatment of webs of material, in particular paper webs. Under production conditions the jacket reduces heat losses from the roll through convection and radiation to the environment. The jacket has a device which, with an interruption of production, ensures a forced convection at the heated roll for the cooling of the surface to a temperature level which is same or only insubstantially higher than in the production state. Several cooling nozzles are conceivable for the said apparatus which are secured to the jacket and direct a coolant onto the roll surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 25, 1997
    Assignee: Voith Sulzer Finishing GmbH
    Inventors: Hans-Rolf Conrad, Dirk Cramer
  • Patent number: 5600898
    Abstract: The paper dryer section has a single tier of all top felted dryer rolls seven to nine feet in diameter. Air caps are employed over the dryer rolls to simultaneously dry both sides of the web to prevent curl and to increase drying rates. The air caps employ blown air at a temperature of 200-1,000 degrees Fahrenheit and air speeds of 8,000-40,000 feet per minute. The felt employed is foraminous with a permeability of between 300-1,500 cubic feet per minute per square foot and is designed to withstand peak temperatures of up to 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit and average temperatures of between 500-600 degrees Fahrenheit. A single dryer roll, or more advantageously, two vacuum rolls in a vacuum box are disposed between the dryer rolls to maximize the circumferential wrap of the web and, at the same time, support and transport the web between dryers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 11, 1997
    Assignee: Beloit Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Rajendra D. Deshpande, Jeffrey H. Pulkowski
  • Patent number: 5590476
    Abstract: A dryer section in a paper machine which comprises a number of dryer groups, each having drying cylinders, reversing cylinders arranged between adjacent pairs of drying cylinders and a wire which presses the web against heated cylinder faces of the drying cylinders whereas the web remains at the side of the outside curve on the reversing cylinders. The dryer groups are arranged in two or more stories. Some of the dryer groups in the dryer section are placed in the basement spaces underneath the machine hall level, and some of them are placed on the machine hall level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1997
    Assignee: Valmet Corporation
    Inventors: Markku Alakoski, Antti Ilmarinen, Martti Tissari, Kyosti Uuttana
  • Patent number: 5586397
    Abstract: A method and device for drying a paper web in a dryer section having a number of successive dryer groups with a single-wire draw, and being situated after a press section of the paper machine. Each dryer group includes contact-drying cylinders arranged in a first row and reversing suction cylinders or equivalent suction rolls arranged in a second row, the rows being horizontal, diagonal or vertical rows. The paper web is dried by contact-drying cylinders from the side of its lower face across the entire length of the dryer section. The paper web is passed as a closed draw from one dryer group to the next group, and the paper web is guided, while it runs on the drying wire at the side of the outside curve, by the reversing suction cylinders having a curve radius selected in a range from about 250 mm to about 1000 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1996
    Assignee: Valmet Corporation
    Inventors: Reima Kerttula, Jouko Yli-Kauppila
  • Patent number: 5584126
    Abstract: A limiting orifice through-air-drying apparatus for papermaking or other absorbent embryonic webs. The apparatus has a first zone and a second zone. The first zone is maintained at a differential pressure less than the breakthrough pressure, while the second zone is maintained at a differential pressure greater than the breakthrough pressure. The residence time of the embryonic web to be dried with the apparatus is maintained at preferably less than 35 milliseconds on the first zone. Using the dual zone system described above, the overall energy required to run the apparatus can be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1996
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Donald E. Ensign, Michael G. Stelljes, Jr., Paul D. Trokhan
  • Patent number: 5584128
    Abstract: A limiting orifice through-air-drying apparatus for papermaking or other absorbent embryonic webs. The apparatus has a first zone and a second zone. The first zone is maintained at a differential pressure less than the breakthrough pressure, while the second zone is maintained at a differential pressure greater than the breakthrough pressure. The residence time of the embryonic web to be dried with the apparatus is maintained at preferably less than 35 milliseconds on the first zone. Using the dual zone system described above, the overall energy required to run the apparatus can be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1996
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Donald E. Ensign, Michael G. Stelljes, Jr., Paul D. Trokhan
  • Patent number: 5564197
    Abstract: The dry end of a paper machine comprises a first dryer group with top drying cylinders, with a first drying wire and with bottom deflection suction rolls. Adjacent this, there is a second dryer group with bottom drying cylinders, with a second drying screen and with top deflection suction rolls. In this way, both sides of the web to be dried come, in succession, into direct contact with the drying cylinders. At the place where the web changes from the first drying wire to the second drying wire, there is a transfer suction roll which lies within the loop of the second support belt. The web travels there from the last cylinder of the first dryer group over an at least approximately straight travel path to the transfer suction roll and thus onto the second support belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1996
    Assignee: J. M. Voith GmbH
    Inventors: Werner Kade, Wilfried Kraft, Wolfgang Mayer
  • Patent number: 5561913
    Abstract: An apparatus for drying photo-sensitive material having a transfer path for the photo-sensitive material having at least one curved section, a supply device for supplying hot air to the photo-sensitive material, and a suction duct for sucking the hot air provided inside the curved section. The apparatus further includes turn rollers provided along the inside of the curved section, and a paper guide having an opening for circulating hot air, provided between the adjacent two rollers of the plurality of turn rollers in such a manner as not to contact with the photo-sensitive material. It is possible to dry all the portions of the photo-sensitive material under a uniform condition, while maintaining the transfer characteristics so that no drying irregularity appears; thereby, making it possible to prevent the reduction in the printing quality of the picture due to the drying irregularity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1996
    Assignee: Noritsu Koki Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tatsuya Domoto
  • Patent number: 5537755
    Abstract: A drying section for use in a papermaking machine has a two-felt drying group with an upper row of cylinders and an upper felt and with a lower row of cylinders and a lower felt. In each row of cylinders, two adjacent cylinders form a sub-group having a deflection suction roll disposed therebetween. A web to be dried passes alternately through the upper and lower sub-groups. Opposite each deflection suction roll of one row of cylinders lies a section of the felt path of the other row of cylinders, the space located therebetween being free from components to facilitate removal of paper broke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1996
    Assignee: J. M. Voith GmbH
    Inventor: Gerhard Kotitschke
  • Patent number: 5522151
    Abstract: A paper drying section utilizes two reversing rolls between each dryer roll to extend the available time for vapor to flash from the web. A vacuum box is disposed between the two reversing rolls to support and dry the felt and paper web as it passes from one reversing roll to another. An air cap is used to blow high velocity air onto the exposed surface of the paper web which is held by the vacuum box. The spacing of the two reversing rolls increases the wrap of the single tier dryer by approximately twenty percent over that of a conventional single tier dryer with a single reversing roll. Another configuration dryer section positions the first of the two reversing rolls downwardly beneath its adjacent dryer roll creating a long draw between the dryer roll and the first reversing roll. This long draw is supported by a vacuum box adjacent the felt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1996
    Assignee: Beloit Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Rajendra D. Deshpande, Jeffrey H. Pulkowski
  • Patent number: 5515619
    Abstract: In a papermaking machine, the drying section includes a vacuum based system which serves to guide the web and supporting felt (15) from a first drying cylinder (11) to a transfer vacuum roller (10), which has perforations (13) through which a vacuum is communicated into the interior of the roller 10 from of an external suction box (14). The suction box (14) includes lengthwise extending sealing strips (28, 29) located adjacent and bounding the free circumferential surface of the transfer roller (10), which is not overlapped by the felt of the drying section. The sealing strips extend from the suction box 14 to the roller mantel (10a) of the roller 10. These strips are further designed in the style of a doctor blade and are flexibly mounted on the suction box (14) so that they are flexible and biased against the roller 10 by spring action. They extend approximately tangentially to the surface of the roller mantel (10a), contacting it gently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1996
    Assignee: J.M. Voith GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Kahl, Karl-Heinz Klein, Helmut Grimm, Wolfgang Mueller
  • Patent number: 5495679
    Abstract: The dryer of this invention employs a vacuum chamber interposed below and between first and second heated dryer rolls. The vacuum chamber has two sides and a top which overlies two grooved reversing rolls. The vacuum chamber controls all flow of air in the gap between and below the dryer rolls. The dryer-fabric-backed paper web passes from the first dryer roll around the reversing rolls and up to the second dryer roll. The dryer fabric seals the vacuum chamber, and air is drawn therefrom. The provision of the grooved rolls permits a greater wrap of the felt around the dryers and the application of vacuum to hold the web against the felt during movement of the web between the dryers and the grooved rolls and between the grooved rolls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 5, 1996
    Assignee: Beloit Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Rajendra D. Deshpande, Jeffrey H. Pulkowski
  • Patent number: 5465504
    Abstract: A paper web in a paper machine including a yankee dryer is dried and the moisture profile thereof controlled by arraying a plurality of gas burners in a cross-machine direction within the hood of the yankee dryer to direct heat toward different incremental width portions of the paper web. The burners are independently controlled by a scanning moisture gauge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 14, 1995
    Assignee: James River Paper Company, Inc.
    Inventor: John R. Joiner
  • Patent number: 5452524
    Abstract: A photosensitive material drying method for drying a photosensitive material conveyed along a conveying path, including steps of: training a front surface and a rear surface of the photosensitive material alternately around a plurality of heat rollers whose outer circumferences are heated by heat sources; heating the photosensitive material by an amount of heat provided on a basis of a temperature of the outer circumferences of the heat rollers and on the basis of a time of contact between the photosensitive material and the heat rollers; and evaporating moisture from a surface of the photosensitive material not contacting the heat rollers. High-quality drying can be effected in a small space and with little use of electric power. Efficient drying in which dimensions of films are stable can be carried out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 26, 1995
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masakazu Isozaki, Mitsuru Katsumata
  • Patent number: 5416984
    Abstract: An apparatus for transferring heat from a web includes a chill roll having a cylindrical outer side surface. The web moves along a path which extends part way around the chill roll. A nozzle extends between opposite edge portions of the web and extends circumferentially around a portion of the cylindrical outer side surface of the chill roll. A central portion of the nozzle directs a flow of air against a central portion of the web upstream of a location where the web normally engages the chill roll to deflect the central portion of the web into engagement with the chill roll. Opposite side portions of the nozzle extend away from the central portion of the nozzle and extend downstream from the location where the central portion of the web is deflected toward the chill roll. This results in a smoothing action which extends across the web and downstream along the web from the central portion of the web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1995
    Assignee: Heidelberg Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventor: Robert R. Murray
  • Patent number: 5416979
    Abstract: Apparatus for drying a wet paper web during manufacture of the paper web. The apparatus allows the moisture profile of the web to be carefully controlled and adjusted. The apparatus includes a rotatable dryer drum and a hood partially encompassing the rotatable dryer drum. A plurality of elongated heater nozzle boxes are disposed in the hood interior and extend across the dryer drum in the cross-machine direction, the elongated heater nozzle boxes being arrayed side-by-side in the machine direction. A plurality of gas burners is located in each of the nozzle box interiors and arranged side-by-side along the length of the nozzle box interiors for producing hot combustion gases within the nozzle box interiors of the heater nozzle boxes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1995
    Assignee: James River Paper Company, Inc.
    Inventor: John R. Joiner