Gas Or Vapor Directed To Single Surface Of Material Patents (Class 34/465)
  • Patent number: 8769842
    Abstract: A substrate drying apparatus includes a drying gas nozzle configured so that, assuming that a surface WA of the substrate W is a projection plane, regarding the drying gas flow Gf in the nozzle moving direction Dr, a collision position Gfw with the substrate W is located downstream of a projected discharge position Gfv?, the projected discharge position Gfv? being a discharge position from the drying gas nozzle projected on the projection plane. In a three-dimensional space, the drying gas flow Gf is inclined, such that an angle ? formed by an axis Ga of the drying gas flow Gf and a vertical line Wp of the substrate W is in a range from a half contact angle ?/2 to an angle determined by deducting the half contact angle ?/2 from 90°, the half contact angle ?/2 being a half of the contact angle ?.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Ebara Corporation
    Inventors: Tomoatsu Ishibashi, Takahiro Ogawa, Kenichi Sugita, Shinji Kajita, Koichi Fukaya, Akira Nakamura
  • Publication number: 20080172903
    Abstract: According to the drying method and apparatus of the present invention, at first, the coated film on one end side of the support is more quickly dried than that on the other end side, because drying air is supplied from one end side of the support. Subsequently, the coated film on the other end side of the support is more quickly dried than that on one end side, because drying air is supplied from the other end side of the support. Accordingly, the method and the apparatus can diminish a difference between drying rates in on one end side and in the other end side of the long support, in the whole drying zone. Thus, the method and the apparatus can uniformly dry the support and inhibit the production of a dry spot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2008
    Publication date: July 24, 2008
    Applicant: FUJIFILM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazuhiro SHIMODA, Kyohei YOSHIMURA, Nobuo HAMAMOTO
  • Publication number: 20080098611
    Abstract: An automatic ground surface dryer, system and method for automatically, conveniently, quickly and effectively drying a ground surface without the need for manual labour and capable of quickly drying a large ground surface is described. The automatic ground surface dryer has a frame, a drying apparatus mounted to the frame, a support for the frame to facilitate movement of the frame over the ground surface, a motor coupled to the frame to move the frame over the ground surface, and a controller coupled to the motor and the drying apparatus to drive the motor and to operate the drying apparatus in response to a rainfall data signal from a rainfall data gathering system which gathers rainfall data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2006
    Publication date: May 1, 2008
    Inventor: Ivan Tumbocon Dancel
  • Patent number: 7125473
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for conditioning a moving porous web on a papermaking machine is disclosed. The web has a first and a second surface and a high temperature gaseous boundary layer adjacent at least the second surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: International Paper Company
    Inventor: Dennis W. Anderson
  • Patent number: 6960372
    Abstract: The present invention uniformly dries, in a clean room in which down flow is constituted, a coated film formed on a surface of a substrate held in a state that the coated surface faces down. In a coating apparatus including an absorption board holding a substrate in a state that its surface to be coated looks down, and a coating mechanism that coats with coating liquid the surface to be coated of the substrate held by this absorption board, there is provided an air current generating apparatus which supplies clean gas toward the surface to be coated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2005
    Assignee: Hoya Corporation
    Inventor: Shuho Motomura
  • Patent number: 6785982
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for drying a coated web is taught that reduces dryer induced mottle. The apparatus comprises a plurality of ducts positioned in series within an enclosure, the coated web travelling through the enclosure in a direction of travel, each duct including an arcuate portion terminating in a discharge nozzle, each discharge nozzle directed such that air exiting therefrom is flowing generally parallel to the coated web and in the direction of travel of the web; and at least one of the plurality of ducts having a baffle plate extending back therefrom toward another one of the plurality of ducts upstream thereof, the baffle plate being generally parallel to the coated web. Each duct preferably also includes a plate extension projecting from a bottom portion of the discharge nozzle in the direction of travel of the web, the plate extension being substantially parallel to the coated web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Roger K. Yonkoski, Amy Schweighardt
  • Patent number: 6775925
    Abstract: Apparatus and a method for the evaporative cooling of a web within a dryer in a compact manner. Excess fluid overspray is controlled, thereby avoiding problems with fluid depositing on internal surfaces of the dryer, which can cause mineral build-up and can result in web breaks or quality defects if fluid drips onto the web. More specifically, a water delivery system is used which directs a water mist to the web by appropriate design and placement of the spray nozzles. The quantity of water delivered to the web is regulated, and is preferably based upon web temperature. Excess mist is controlled by directing hot air to effectively vaporize the excess mist before it is able to contact the internal surfaces of the dryer enclosure and its internal components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Megtec Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Steven J. Zagar, Paul Seidl, Jerry Packer, David Welter
  • Patent number: 6699365
    Abstract: This invention relates to a three-stream atomizing nozzle for use with a rewet shower. The nozzle has an air stream divider that separates the atomizing air from the source into three streams. The first stream is a straight air stream staying closest to and around the atomized water jet. The second stream is a swirl running around the first straight stream. The third stream is also a straight stream that wraps around the first straight stream and the second swirl. The nozzle also has a mixing chamber in which the three air streams are mixed together for the atomizing purpose. The nozzle can from the combination of the three air streams produce fine water droplets that are suitable for a paper rewet shower and more importantly creates a tailorable water mass profile. The mass profile can be tailored into a shape that is close to a square shape which is ideal for rewet showers as a square profile creates minimal coupling between adjacent zones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: ABB Inc.
    Inventor: Shizhong Duan
  • Patent number: 6591518
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for is provided for supporting and connecting drier cassettes of an air knife type of drier. The drier cassettes exhaust air on traveling printed matter and are joined and supported by expander units that also exhaust air on the printed matter to increase drying efficiency. Gas or air is supplied to either the drier cassettes or the expander units or both and window apertures may be provided to allow the gas to communicate between the drier cassettes and the expander units. The relative exhaust pressures of the expander units and the drier cassettes may be regulated to create a pressure gradient on the printed matter as it travels through the exhaust so that the path of the paper suffers from less disruption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: Technotrans America West, Inc.
    Inventor: Steve J Barberi
  • Patent number: 6581301
    Abstract: A paper drying apparatus to dry a paper web carried on a fabric sheet includes a first rotatable drum to carry a paper web. A second rotatable drum is positioned downstream of the first drum with respect to the paper web carried by the first and second rotatable drum. A third rotatable drum is positioned downstream of the second rotatable drum to carry the paper web. A first air supply directs air through the first rotatable drum in a first direction to dry a paper web carried on the first rotatable drum. A second air supply supplies air through the second rotatable drum in a second direction opposite to the first direction. A third air supply supplies air through the third rotatable drum in the first direction. The first direction is one of a direction from an inside of a respective drum toward an outside of the respective drum and from the outside of the respective drum toward the inside of the respective drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignee: Georgia-Pacific Corporation
    Inventor: Benjamin A. Thorp
  • Publication number: 20030094254
    Abstract: This invention relates to a three-stream atomizing nozzle for use with a rewet shower. The nozzle has an air stream divider that separates the atomizing air from the source into three streams. The first stream is a straight air stream staying closest to and around the atomized water jet. The second stream is a swirl running around the first straight stream. The third stream is also a straight stream that wraps around the first straight stream and the second swirl. The nozzle also has a mixing chamber in which the three air streams are mixed together for the atomizing purpose. The nozzle can from the combination of the three air streams produce fine water droplets that are suitable for a paper rewet shower and more importantly creates a tailorable water mass profile. The mass profile can be tailored into a shape that is close to a square shape which is ideal for rewet showers as a square profile creates minimal coupling between adjacent zones.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2001
    Publication date: May 22, 2003
    Applicant: ABB Inc.
    Inventor: Shizhong Duan
  • Publication number: 20030000673
    Abstract: The specification discloses embodiments of a process and related apparatus for conditioning a fibrous web in order to improve the efficiency of drying and calendering thereof. In the process, a moving fibrous web is conditioned after the drier unit of a papermaking machine by applying a flow of moistened gas through one or more arrays of radial jet reattachment nozzles placed in close proximity to the web surface prior to a calendering unit or prior to a steaming unit placed between the nozzles and the calender unit to cool the web and/or increase its moisture content. Webs treated according to the invention exhibit improved properties including less moisture streaking, enhanced smoothness and avoidance of optical property loss.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2002
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Inventor: Dennis W. Anderson
  • Patent number: 6484418
    Abstract: A method, system and apparatus is disclosed for drying a wet web quickly and efficiently on the surface of a steam heated drying cylinder in a continuous papermaking process. A steam-heated drying cylinder having an exterior surface is rotated under a drying hood adjacent the exterior surface of the drying cylinder. The hood comprises a drying zone of heated air, with nozzles adapted to supply hot air streams into the drying zone. A wet web is adhered to the drying cylinder and rotated through the drying zone of the hood. Then, hot air streams are directed from the nozzles upon the wet web. A hot air stream is provided from a nozzle at a lead angle that deviates from perpendicular between about 3 and about 30 degrees, in a lead direction towards the downstream end of the web drying process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank Hada, Ron Gropp
  • Patent number: 6470598
    Abstract: An adjustable deckel profiler is disclosed, for use in apparatus for drying a moving paper web. The profiler is a slidable member which interacts with impingement air to control and adjust the air against the moving web. Means are provided for adjusting and setting the profiler relative to cross machine drying air profiling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Assignee: Asea Brown Boveri Inc.
    Inventor: Volker J. Ringer
  • Patent number: 6427360
    Abstract: A method for preheating a permeable, thermoformable material having first and second sides includes supplying heated fluid to a fluid distribution system; regulating flow of the fluid such that fluid having a first temperature flows at a first velocity, and fluid having a second temperature less than the first temperature flows at a second velocity greater than the first velocity; introducing the fluid onto the first side of the material; and developing a suction on the second side of the material sufficient to draw the fluid through the material thereby convectively heating the material; wherein the flow of the fluid is regulated so as to transfer substantially uniform energy flux to the material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventor: Sunil K. Gupté
  • Patent number: 6368459
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for coating a moving web of paper or board from on sides with at least one coat layer. The coat is applied to the web by means of a film transfer coater (12) and next the web is passed to a dryer cylinder group (4) via an air-cushion cylinder (18) supported by a wire (14), whereby the web can run fully supported all the way from its entry to the coater up to the winder. The apparatus further comprises a belt calender (8) and a belt-supported winder (9), whereby the web is thus supported over its entire passage in the machinery from the unwinder or paper machine up to winding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: Valmet Corporation
    Inventor: Jorma Kinnunen
  • Patent number: 6314659
    Abstract: A device and method for extending the useful life of a carrying fabric in a dryer by maintaining the edges of the fabric at a temperature below that at which thermal degradation occurs. This is achieved by applying a cooling liquid to the edges of the carrying fabric so that thermal energy can be transferred from the fabric to the liquid and thus maintain the edges of the fabric at moderate temperatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Assignee: Valmet Inc.
    Inventor: Richard A. Parker
  • Patent number: 6298578
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for drying a tennis court or other surface removes water from the tennis court and heats the surface of the tennis court to facilitate evaporation of water from the court.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2001
    Inventor: Mark H. Frampton
  • Publication number: 20010008181
    Abstract: The specification discloses embodiments of a process and related apparatus for conditioning a fibrous web in order to improve the efficiency of drying and calendering thereof. In the process, a moving fibrous web is conditioned after the drier unit of a papermaking machine by applying a flow of moistened gas through one or more arrays of radial jet reattachment nozzles placed in close proximity to the web surface prior to a calendering unit or prior to a steaming unit placed between the nozzles and the calender unit to cool the web and/or increase its moisture content. Webs treated according to the invention exhibit improved properties including less moisture streaking, enhanced smoothness and avoidance of optical property loss.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2001
    Publication date: July 19, 2001
    Inventor: Dennis W. Anderson
  • Patent number: 6207020
    Abstract: The invention relates to of a process and related apparatus for conditioning a fibrous web in order to improve the efficiency of drying and calendering thereof. In the process, a moving fibrous web is conditioned after the drier unit of a papermaking machine by applying a flow of moistened gas through one or more arrays of radial jet reattachment nozzles placed in close proximity to the web surface prior to a calendering unit or prior to a steaming unit placed between the nozzles and the calender unit to cool the web and/or increase its moisture content. Webs treated according to the invention exhibit improved properties including less moisture streaking, enhanced smoothness and avoidance of optical property loss.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: International Paper Company
    Inventor: Dennis W. Anderson
  • Patent number: 6192602
    Abstract: Method for drying and/or cooling a web in which a web is passed over an arcuate circumference of a blow device, a gas is directed from an interior of the blow device at the web through first openings formed in a mantle of the device to form a support zone between the mantle and the web, and moistened exhaust gas is drawn from the support zone into the interior of the blow device through second openings formed in the mantle. A revolving edge support is arranged at each end of the blow device to support the web during the passage of the web over the circumference of the blow device, the edge supports being separate from the blow device, and the edge supports include interior circumferential and/or friction surfaces to seal the support zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Assignee: Valmet Corporation
    Inventor: Vesa Vuorinen
  • Patent number: 6108936
    Abstract: Method for one of drying and cooling a web in which a web is passed over an arcuate circumference of a blow device, a gas is directed from an interior of the blow device at the web through first openings formed in a mantle of the device to form a support zone between the mantle and the web, and moistened exhaust gas is drawn from the support zone into the interior of the blow device through second openings formed in the mantle. A revolving edge support is arranged at each end of the blow device to support the web during the passage of the web over the circumference of the blow device, the edge supports being separate from the blow device, and the edge supports include one of interior circumferential and friction surfaces to seal the support zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Assignee: Valmet Corporation
    Inventor: Vesa Vuorinen
  • Patent number: 6018886
    Abstract: Apparatus for drying coated web material and preferably moving web material comprises a nozzle, means for supplying air to the nozzle and means to distribute the air through said nozzle substantially uniformly across the web width, said nozzle arcing from a position perpendicular with respect to the plane of the web to a position substantially parallel with respect to the plane of the web, said nozzle having an exit slot wherein the air is discharged from the exit slot at an angle of between 1.degree. and 45.degree. with respect to the plane of the web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2000
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Brent C. Bell, George M. Cline, Jr., Christopher J. Klasner
  • Patent number: 5987777
    Abstract: The invention relates to a dry end for drying a material web, in particular a paper or cardboard web, having at least one drying group with a plurality of drying cylinders and web guiding rollers and at least one nozzle device for transporting the threading part of the material web along a winding path by means of at least one conveyor band. The dry end is characterised in that groups of at least two nozzle devices (17, 19, 21) located at the same side of the material web (11) follow each other in the direction of transport of the material web (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Voith Sulzer Papiermaschinen GmbH
    Inventors: Werner Goebel, Karlheinz Straub
  • Patent number: 5983597
    Abstract: A method and device for feeding sheet material, whereby the sheet material is fed in a given traveling direction along one face of a plate by a fluid bed movable along the face in the traveling direction; the fluid bed being formed by at least one jet of fluid, which is directed in a direction substantially tangent to the face and concordant with the traveling direction, and is fed inside a window formed through the plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignee: G.D. Societa' Per Azioni
    Inventors: Giuseppe Venturi, Fiorenzo Draghetti, Fulvio Boldrini, Marco Ghini
  • Patent number: 5879738
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for treating the walls of apertures passing through a planar substrate with a fluid treatment solution. The method comprises placement of a pressurized fluid wedge beneath, above, or both beneath and above a planar substrate as it passes through a treatment chamber. The apparatus that forms the fluid wedge is a roller assembly comprising a roller within a shroud which carries fluid as it rotates through a gap between the roller and the shroud. The roller provides the dual function of forming the fluid wedge and conveying the planar substrate through the treatment chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Assignee: Allan H. McKinnon
    Inventors: Allan H. McKinnon, Charles R. Kidd, Michael Gulla
  • Patent number: 5822835
    Abstract: A process for treatment of a web by means of impingement by high velocity gaseous fluid is provided. The process constitutes the provision of a web to two separate treatment zones. In the first treatment zone the web is subjected to the imposition of high velocity gaseous fluid substantially tangential to the web and in the opposite direction of travel by the web through the treatment zone, such that a series of saw-tooth waves are formed in and move along the web in the opposite direction of travel by the web. In the second conditioning zone, the same type imposition of high velocity gaseous fluid to the web occurs with the gas streams and the resultant saw-tooth waves forced in the same direction as the travel of the web. The two zones are separated by an area of high tension on the web. An apparatus for carrying out the process is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1998
    Assignee: Milliken Research Corporation
    Inventor: Louis Dischler
  • Patent number: 5390428
    Abstract: The emulsion surface of a film may be damaged as it is pushed into or pulled through a dryer unit. Described herein is a transport arrangement for transporting a film through a dryer which comprises a conveyor belt for transporting the film, and air jets arranged above the surface of the belt. The film is placed on the conveyor belt with its emulsion surface uppermost. The air jets operate to hold the film against the belt as it is transported through the dryer as well as assisting in the removal of moisture from the emulsion surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1995
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Leslie J. Pummell
  • Patent number: 5347726
    Abstract: An apparatus for dispersing contaminants from the surface of a web moving in a processing direction within a web processing system, the web processing system including a web processing structure, the apparatus including a chill roll air bar disposed proximate to a surface of the web, for separating the contaminated air from the surface of the web before that surface of the web engages the processing structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 20, 1994
    Assignee: Quad/Tech Inc.
    Inventors: H. Richard Quadracci, Karl R. Voss, Jeffrey W. Sainio