For Flexible Sheet, Web, Or Strand Patents (Class 34/618)
  • Patent number: 9052141
    Abstract: A warning device of the type that is typically employed to warn pedestrians of a wet floor operates a floor dryer into its design so that, in addition to warning pedestrians of the wet floor, the device may be employed to dry the floor. An air director element produces a beneficial air flow providing increased drying efficacy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Inventors: John J. Andrisin, III, Benjamin A. Scholles, Wesley A. Schroeder
  • Patent number: 8955957
    Abstract: Systems and methods for a dryer unit of a printer. In one embodiment, a dryer unit includes a light source having a plurality of lamps. The dryer unit further includes a controller that associates a target output power with each of the lamps of the light source. When in operation, the controller determines a speed of a printable medium that passes through the dryer unit. The controller is able to vary an intensity of light generated by the light source based on the speed of the printable medium by varying which of the lamps of the light source are energized to their target output power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Ricoh Production Print Solutions LLC
    Inventors: Stuart J. Boland, Scott Johnson, Constantino J. Tadiello, Casey E. Walker
  • Publication number: 20140237848
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for balancing air flow in dryers of printing systems. The dryer includes a heating element, top flow generator, and bottom flow generator. The heating element is within the dryer, and heats a web of printed media. The top flow generator directly projects a first jet of gas onto a top side of the web. The first jet of gas deflects air proximate to the web. The bottom flow generator directly projects a second jet of gas onto an opposing side of the web. The second jet strikes the web at substantially the same location as the first jet, and compensates orthogonal force applied to the web by the first jet. Furthermore, the top and bottom flow generators are both oriented to project the jets partially in the direction of travel of the web.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2013
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Inventors: Casey E. Walker, Scott Johnson, Stuart J. Boland, William Edward Manchester, Sean K. Fitzsimons
  • Patent number: 8806771
    Abstract: A low impact belt dryer is presented for drying pellets while minimizing high-energy pellet collisions that may create pellet dust or cause pellets to fracture. The dryer includes a vacuum chamber having multiple air knife assemblies that direct high velocity drying fluid towards the pellets and though a liquid-permeable pellet-impermeable belt to a vacuum port. The low impact dryer may also include a centrifugal dryer for dewatering the pellets before they pass though the vacuum chamber. The conveyor belt of the dryer may transport the pellets through multiple desiccation chambers where low velocity air is directed upwards though the belt to both dry and levitate the pellets above the belt. The dryer may also include a cleaning chamber for removing debris from the liquid-permeable pellet-impermeable belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Inventors: George A. Holmes, Tadeuz Rybka
  • Publication number: 20140210919
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for inserting low temperature gas into dryers of printing systems. The system comprises a dryer, which includes a heating element and a flow generator. The heating element is within an interior of the dryer and is able to heat a web of printed media as the web travels through the interior. The flow generator is within the interior and is operable to directly project an impinging jet of gas along a width of the web that deflects heated air proximate to the web. The gas is cooler than the heated air.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2013
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Inventors: Casey E. Walker, Scott Johnson, Stuart J. Boland, William Edward Manchester, Sean K. Fitzsimons
  • Patent number: 8789291
    Abstract: A heat exchanger assembly includes a housing at least partially bounding a chamber and a heat exchanger at least partially disposed within the chamber, the heat exchanger containing tubing adapted to allow a heated fluid to travel therethrough and fins outwardly projecting from the tubing, the fins being spaced apart such that air can freely flow between the fins. The heat exchanger also includes an inlet port into which an air mover can be received to provide blown air for the system and an outlet port through which the heated air exits the heat exchanger assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Bridgewater LLC
    Inventors: Jeremiah S. Reets, Gordon K. Hanks
  • Publication number: 20140202028
    Abstract: An inerted plate dryer for drying solvent based coating is disclosed. The dryer uses two tiers of substantially parallel heating plates that are located not more than 10 cm apart. A moving web with solvent based coating is passed through the dryer, and runs closer to one of the heating plates. The method of using such inerted plate dryer is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2012
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: Avery Dennison Corporation
    Inventors: Juan De Santos Avila, Kostas N. Christodoulou, Ahmad Khodaei, Ali R. Mehrabi, Luigi Sartor, Henk De Koning, George Arkesteijn
  • Patent number: 8667703
    Abstract: An apparatus for drying wood veneer includes an elongate drying chamber including a conveyor for conveying material to be dried from an input end to an output end; and a cooling section for cooling veneer leaving the output end of the drying chamber, the cooling section including a pressure controller for maintaining a pressure in the cooling section that is slightly higher than pressure in the drying chamber while maintaining a near-zero pressure differential between the drying chamber and the cooling section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: USNR/Kockums Cancar Company
    Inventors: Irven J. McMahon, Bryan J. Wolowiecki
  • Patent number: 8657998
    Abstract: An apparatus for removing particulate-carrying air from a moving web. The moving web has a first side and a second side. The apparatus includes a NACA duct positioned in a non-contacting relationship on a first side of the moving web, and at least partially submerged in a particulate-carrying boundary layer of the moving web. The NACA duct can have an intake opening and an exhaust opening such that when the intake opening is submerged in the boundary layer at least a portion of the particulate-carrying air from the boundary layer enters the intake opening and exits the exhaust opening, thereby scavenging particulate-carrying air from said boundary layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Brad Scott Lockhart, André Mellin, John Ferney McKibben, David Matthew Ogden, Brian Christopher Schwamberger, Peter Wiedmann, Richard Matthew Giachetto
  • Patent number: 8628188
    Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus including: a rotatable belt having an outer surface and an inner surface, the outer surface partially coming into contact with a sheet; a plurality of rollers being arranged in a direction of movement of the sheet and including a first roller and a second roller adjacent to each other, the plurality of rollers being pressed against the outer surface and the moving sheet being nipped between the plurality of rollers and the outer surface; a blowing mechanism configured to blow hot air from between the first roller and the second roller toward the sheet; and a heating unit including a heater and a contact surface coming into contact with the inner surface, the heating unit being configured to be able to set the contact surface thereof to have a predetermined non-uniform temperature distribution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshiaki Tokisawa, Yoshiaki Suzuki, Kanto Kurasawa, Toshihide Wada
  • Publication number: 20130239431
    Abstract: A cellulose pulp drying box for drying a web of cellulose pulp having blow boxes that are operative for blowing gas towards the web of cellulose pulp for drying the pulp. At least 10% of the total number of blow boxes of the drying box are provided, in their respective face, with openings having a characteristic measure of 1.8 to 3. mm and constituting at least 20% of the total degree of perforation of the face of the respective blow box.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2011
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: ANDRITZ TECHNOLOGY AND ASSET MANAGEMENT GMBH
    Inventors: Ola Larsson, Roland Kampris, Tinh Sjokvist
  • Publication number: 20130232812
    Abstract: An arrangement for drying a web of cellulose pulp having a drying box which includes blow boxes that are operative for blowing air towards the web of cellulose pulp for drying the pulp in accordance with the airborne web principle. The drying box has a first drying zone, which includes first lower blow boxes arranged to bear the web, and a second drying zone, having second lower blow boxes arranged to bear the web, with the first lower blow boxes being different from the second lower blow boxes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2011
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Applicant: ANDRITZ TECHNOLOGY AND ASSET MANAGEMENT GMBH
    Inventor: Roland Kampris
  • Patent number: 8227730
    Abstract: A towel dryer includes an aluminum body having an outer surface that supports a towel to be dried. The surface has a degree of reflectance of not less than 80% for more efficient transfer of heat from the body to the towel. The outer body surface is an oxidized surface to resist corrosion, and a clear coating may be provided over the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Swisspal AG
    Inventor: Silvia Bader
  • Patent number: 8196314
    Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for drying a fibrous web, in particular a paper web, paperboard web or tissue web, by way of hot air, on which the fibrous web is charged with the supply air for the drying from a supply air chamber and on which exhaust air from the drying operation passes into an exhaust air chamber, whereby the exhaust air from the exhaust air chamber is supplied at least partly to the suction side of a pressure booster and at least a part of the supply air from the pressure side of the pressure booster is supplied to the supply air chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Voith Patent GmbH
    Inventor: Christian Munch
  • Publication number: 20120000089
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and to a device for drying a fibrous web wherein the traveling fibrous web is acted upon by steam and hot, moist air in the region of a preceding drying zone and is then fed to the preceding drying zone of a downstream drying zone comprising a drying cylinder and a hood allocated thereto. Hot air is taken out of the hood allocated to the drying cylinder of the downstream drying zone. To create at least a portion of the steam for the preceding drying zone, condensate and/or fresh water occurring in the drying cylinder of the downstream drying zone is heated by the hot air taken out of the hood by means of a first heat exchanger. Alternatively or additionally for creating at least a portion of the hot, moist air for the preceding drying zone, the hot air taken out of the hood guided through the first heat exchanger is fed to the preceding drying zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2011
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Inventors: Thomas Scherb, Joao V. Boechat
  • Publication number: 20110316950
    Abstract: The present invention provides a paper seasoning apparatus, a paper seasoning method, and an inkjet recording apparatus, that may improve seasoning achieved by blowing air against a paper stack. A paper seasoning apparatus includes, an upwards protruding shaped mounting surface on which a paper stack is mounted, and first air blowing devices and second air blowing devices that blow air against a side face of the paper stack mounted on the mounting surface. The second air blowing devices are disposed in the vicinity of a maximum height position and at a height of a position where air outlets of the second air blowing devices include the mounting surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2011
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Applicant: FUJIFILM CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yuhei CHIWATA
  • Publication number: 20110277340
    Abstract: Method for steam recapture in the drying of a tissue paper web with a cylinder that is fed from a live steam network and with a hot air hood that flows hot air onto the tissue paper web, includes the steps of: removing condensate from the cylinder; compressing the condensate to a first pressure level essentially corresponding to that of the live steam network; heating the condensate by heat exchange with the exhaust air from the hot air hood; vaporizing the condensate; and feeding generated steam into the live steam network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Applicant: SCA HYGIENE PRODUCTS AB
    Inventors: Martin Wiens, Bruno Dexler, Jan Hieke, Josef Heintz
  • Publication number: 20110185589
    Abstract: The device according to the invention for thermally processing web-like fabric webs substantially comprises a plurality of successive processing fields for acting on the fabric web with a processing gas, transport means for conveying the fabric web through the processing fields in the extended state, devices for supplying additional air to the processing fields, devices for discharging exhaust air from the processing fields, a mixing device which is provided in each processing field and which is connected to the devices for supplying the additional air and which has an adjustment member, the ratio of additional air to circulating recirculation air present in the processing gas thereby being able to be adjusted, and a central heating system which is for adjusting the temperature of the processing gas and which is connected to the plurality of processing fields by means of a ring circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2011
    Publication date: August 4, 2011
    Inventor: Michael Christ
  • Publication number: 20110146103
    Abstract: A towel dryer includes an aluminum body having an outer surface that supports a towel to be dried. The surface has a degree of reflectance of not less than 80% for more efficient transfer of heat from the body to the towel. The outer body surface is an oxidized surface to resist corrosion, and a clear coating may be provided over the surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2011
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Inventor: Silvia Bader
  • Publication number: 20110099839
    Abstract: A drying apparatus for manufacturing a pressure-sensitive adhesive tape in which a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer is formed on a strip-shaped long tape base material is provided. The drying apparatus dries coating agent coated at least on one surface of the tape base material. The tape base material that is transferred in a lengthwise direction thereof is spirally wound around a cylinder body from one end side of the cylinder body to the other end side of the cylinder body in a slidable state. The cylinder body is formed with a plurality of air holes on an entire circumferential wall thereof, around which the tape base material is spirally wound, the air holes through which warm air or hot air flows from the inside of the cylinder body to the outside of the cylinder body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2010
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Applicant: NITTO DENKO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Atsushi HAMADA, Hirofumi TORITA, Shin SASAKI, Satoru YAMASAKI, Ryuji KUWABARA
  • Publication number: 20110067257
    Abstract: A Yankee dryer which exploits centrifugal forces to assist in evacuating condensate. A condensate collection system has individual pickup straws arranged at an angle such that the required amount of motive steam pressure is reduced to extract and move the steam condensate from the intake opening of the straw to the discharge point of that straw. The pickup straws communicate with a collection header arranged along the length of the Yankee dryer. The collection header is configured such that it has a radius from the axis of rotation which is greatest near the point at which collected condensate is discharged to a disposal riser conduit which conducts collected condensate to the exterior of the Yankee dryer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2009
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Inventor: Richard Fearnside
  • Publication number: 20110020565
    Abstract: According to one aspect of the present invention, a drying device which dries a coating film formed on a substrate with hot air, including an infrared radiator which heats the coating film at a temperature equal to or lower than the temperature of the hot air is provided. The hot air drying device includes the infrared radiator which heats the coating film. Accordingly, the temperature of the coating film in the initial drying stage can be quickly raised by the infrared radiator in comparison with a case in which the coating film is dried only with the hot air. Also, since the infrared radiator heats the coating film at a temperature equal to or lower than the hot air temperature, there is no risk of reducing the quality of the coating film by overheating the coating film. Accordingly, energy consumption can be reduced, and the drying speed can be increased.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2009
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Inventors: Kenichi Yasuda, Kazuhiro Oki
  • Patent number: 7797855
    Abstract: A heating apparatus 2 comprises a housing 20; a flat heating chamber 4 which is provided in the housing 2 and adapted to heat a wafer W used as a substrate, with one side of the heating chamber 4 opening for carrying in and carrying out the wafer; and a heating plates 44, 45 provided in the heating chamber 4 such that the wafer W can be heated from both above and below. A cooling plate 3 is provided in the housing 20 located in the vicinity of the opening of the heating chamber 4, for cooling the wafer W after being heated by the heating plates 44, 45. Additionally, a carrying means is provided in the housing 20 for carrying the wafer W between an upper position of the cooling plate 3 and the interior of the heating chamber 4 such that a heat treatment for the wafer W can be performed with the wafer W being held in the heating chamber 4.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Tetsuo Fukuoka, Masami Akimoto, Takahiro Kitano, Yoshio Kimura, Shinichi Hayashi, Hikaru Ito
  • Publication number: 20100083520
    Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning a simulated hair article such as a wig or other hairpiece. In one exemplary embodiment, the apparatus includes a housing, an ozone generator, an ultraviolet light source, and a gas recirculation structure. The apparatus reduces or eliminates microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, molds, and fungi from the simulated hair article, and also eliminates odors therefrom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2008
    Publication date: April 8, 2010
    Applicant: OZONE CLEAN, LLC
    Inventor: Christ Bill Bertakis
  • Publication number: 20090220905
    Abstract: An oven for bonding adhesives to the back surface of a textile article includes a housing with a transport frame for passing the textile article through a curing chamber within the housing. The oven also has an air source and a duct system that delivers an airflow into a cool zone on the opposite, pile surface side of the textile article. The airflow has a lower temperature than the elevated temperature of the curing chamber and is supplied to the cool zone in sufficient amounts such that the pressure in the cool zone exceeds the ambient pressure in the curing chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2009
    Publication date: September 3, 2009
    Inventor: Billy F. McGowan
  • Publication number: 20090133286
    Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus or machine to pre-dry fabric prints, wherein said machine comprises: A) a moving heat source that moves along a fixed long straight arm; B) a motor that powers the moving heat source by means of a belt; C) a control unit that commands the motor; and D) a stand for the fixed long arm with the heat source, and for the motor; wherein the heat source moves momentarily forth from a zero position along the long straight arm to a position on the top of a fabric that have been printed with a layer of fabric dye, and then the heat source moves back to the zero position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2007
    Publication date: May 28, 2009
    Inventor: DAVID VALLEJO
  • Publication number: 20090107004
    Abstract: A clothes drying facilitating system for being place in a clothes dryer with clothes to expedite the drying of the clothes includes a plurality of clothes. A sheet is insertable into the clothes dryer. The sheet is flexible to tumble in the clothes dryer and pass between the clothes when the clothes dryer is drying the clothes. The sheet includes an exterior layer and an interior layer encased by the exterior layer. The interior layer is comprised of a heat adsorbing material to be heated by the clothes dryer. The sheet transfers heat absorbed by the interior layer to the clothes to expedite drying of the clothes as the sheet passes between the clothes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2007
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Inventor: Jerry D. Brandenburg
  • Publication number: 20090107005
    Abstract: A method of moving a steam blower box out of an operating position opposite a fiber material web to be treated includes the steps of: moving the steam blower box out generally transversely with respect to a web running direction from an operating position with a withdrawal device at least partly integrated in the steam blower box; and returning the steam blower box back into the operating position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2008
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Inventor: Dieter Mueller
  • Patent number: 7510086
    Abstract: This invention relates to an arrangement for sealing off a fluid-filled, stationary pressurized compartment from an endlessly circulating, impermeable belt of a machine for producing and/or refining a paper, paperboard, tissue or other fibrous web with the help of at least one seal of the pressurized compartment, whose contact pressure toward the belt is variable, wherein the belt is pressed by the pressurized compartment against a co-driven support element and the fibrous web runs alone or jointly with one or more function belts between the belt and the support element. The sealing is improved in this case, while producing as little leakage and wear as possible, in that the contact pressure of the seal is controlled as a factor of the drive power and/or the drive torque channeled into the belt and/or as a factor of the leakage of fluid through the gap between the seal and the belt and/or as a factor of the pressure of the fluid in the pressurized compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Inventors: Joachim Henssler, Christoph Haase, Herbert Boden, Helena Johansson
  • Publication number: 20090022485
    Abstract: Disclosed is a apparatus which functions as a personal body-drying device for an individual whose skin is wet immediately after a bath or shower. The device is essentially a rug attached atop a platform, with the said rug exposed at its bottom surface to at least one plenum chamber, or to a network of ducting. Both the rug and the network of ducting are constructed with regularly-spaced, co-located openings through which heated air is propelled. In the optimum mode of operation, each plenum chamber contains an electric heating element over which passes air driven by fans which are attached, at their air outlets, to the respective plenum chambers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2008
    Publication date: January 22, 2009
    Inventor: Wallace Charles Madden
  • Publication number: 20080289210
    Abstract: A garment drying apparatus including upper and lower housings with an expandable and collapsible wall extending therebetween. The apparatus may include at least one support pole and/or bracket to support the upper housing to expand the wall. The upper and lower housings may include openings to slidably receive ends of the at least one support pole and/or bracket. A blower assembly can be located within the lower housing configured to circulate air through one or more vents, wherein when the wall is in an expanded position, the blower assembly circulates air through the one or more vents and into the chamber to dry and press the garment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2007
    Publication date: November 27, 2008
    Inventor: Joy Mangano
  • Publication number: 20080189981
    Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for drying a fibrous web, in particular a paper web, paperboard web or tissue web, by way of hot air, on which the fibrous web is charged with the supply air for the drying from a supply air chamber and on which exhaust air from the drying operation passes into an exhaust air chamber, whereby the exhaust air from the exhaust air chamber is supplied at least partly to the suction side of a pressure booster and at least a part of the supply air from the pressure side of the pressure booster is supplied to the supply air chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2008
    Publication date: August 14, 2008
    Inventor: Christian Munch
  • Patent number: 7337555
    Abstract: Provided is a method for manufacturing a regenerated collagen fiber and a drying apparatus therefor in a manufacturing process of a head decorating regenerated collagen fiber, the method enabling suppression of fluff (fiber breakage) and process trouble and providing outstanding curl retentive property and little hackling loss.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: Kaneka Corporation
    Inventors: Kyoji Uku, Yoshihisa Dohno, Kouji Ono
  • Patent number: 7143528
    Abstract: A web converting process and apparatus employing a dry converting station and substrate-handling equipment for conveying the substrate through the dry converting station. The substrate is enveloped in the dry converting station by a close enclosure supplied with one or more streams of conditioned gas flowing at a rate sufficient to reduce materially the particle count in the close enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: William Blake Kolb
  • Patent number: 7112258
    Abstract: A dry end section for a paper-making machine for producing a high-bulk tissue is provided. Such a machine comprises a through-air dryer adapted to finally dry a paper web and a through-air drying fabric configured to transport the web through the through-air dryer. A separating device is included for facilitating separation of the web from the through-air drying fabric. A reel is also provided and is configured to receive the web thereon. The web is received directly on the separating device or on a fabric wrapped about the separating device. In some instances, the web may be compressed between the separating device and an adjacent roll or by a web-compressing device disposed along the fabric transporting the web. The web is then transported to the reel directly from the fabric or other support mechanism extending between the separating device and the reel, without free draw of the web. Associated methods are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Assignee: Metso Paper Karlstad Aktiebolag (AB)
    Inventors: Ingvar Berndt Erik Klerelid, Lars-Erik Roland Önnerlöv, Leif Sören Videgren
  • Patent number: 7100302
    Abstract: A web coating process and apparatus employing a coating applicator, dryer or curing station and web-handling equipment for conveying the web past the coating applicator and through the dryer. The web is enclosed from at least the coating applicator to the dryer or curing station in a close-coupled enclosure or series of close-coupled enclosures supplied with one or more streams of conditioned gas flowing at a rate sufficient to reduce materially the particle count or change materially a physical property of interest in a close-coupled enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: William Blake Kolb, Gary L. Huelsman
  • Patent number: 7032324
    Abstract: A web coating process and apparatus employing a coating applicator, dryer or curing station and web-handling equipment for conveying the web past the coating applicator and through the dryer. The web is enclosed from at least the coating applicator to the dryer or curing station in a close-coupled enclosure or series of close-coupled enclosures supplied with one or more streams of conditioned gas flowing at a rate sufficient to reduce materially the particle count or change materially a physical property of interest in a close-coupled enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: William Blake Kolb, Gary L. Huelsman
  • Patent number: 7003896
    Abstract: An improved apparatus and method for drying materials. A hot surface in a strong electrostatic field is used to ionize a stream of heated gasses passing over the surface, which assists in directing the stream against the object to be dried, and ionizes the vapors and gasses emitted from surface of the material being dried, which assists in their separation and removal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Inventor: Leonard Immanuel Tafel
  • Patent number: 6877251
    Abstract: A drying apparatus for a sheet-fed offset printing machine which dries sheets as they pass along a sheet path with forcefully directed air and/or heat. The drying apparatus of the present invention is adapted for more effective sheet drying by means of an electrode and a corresponding counter electrode, wherein the electrode is connected to a high-voltage source and a high voltage is applied to the electrode by the high-voltage source in dependence on the operation of the sheet-fed printing machine and/or the length of the sheets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignee: MAN Roland Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventor: Andreas Ihme
  • Patent number: 6827435
    Abstract: A dryer assembly for drying a liquid ink image formed on a substrate comprising a housing defining a portion of a sheet moving path; a plenum positioned within the housing, the plenum including air flow and outlet means contiguous to the plenum permitting forced air to exit the plenum, the outlet being in the form of a plurality of moving openings adapted to direct flowing air through the openings to the liquid image, the openings moving relative to the image; and a substrate transport device for moving the substrate carrying the liquid ink image on a front side thereof through the housing and under the plurality of moving openings. The dryer assembly has particular use in an ink jet printing system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Gerald A. Domoto, Elias Panides, S. Warren Lohr, Roger Leighton, Dawn Api, Narayan V. Deshpande, Andrew W. Hays
  • Publication number: 20040221480
    Abstract: A device for drying a paper web has a drying drum mounted at least partially inside a housing, whereby the cylinder wall of the drying drum is provided with a large number of apertures or openings so that hot air can flow through the cylinder wall, a heating device to generate hot air, a feed device to apply the hot air to the paper web, and a device to carry off the air containing moisture. In order to permit a compact design, the housing surrounds at least one hood which partly encloses a cylinder wall of the drying drum with the heating device being located inside the hood. Both the feed device and the heating device should be located preferably inside the hood.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2004
    Publication date: November 11, 2004
    Inventors: Rudolf Greimel, Wilhelm Mausser, Klaus Gissing, Jorg Baubock
  • Publication number: 20040181966
    Abstract: A dry end section for a paper-making machine for producing a high-bulk tissue is provided. Such a machine comprises a through-air dryer adapted to finally dry a paper web and a through-air drying fabric configured to transport the web through the through-air dryer. A separating device is included for facilitating separation of the web from the through-air drying fabric. A reel is also provided and is configured to receive the web thereon. The web is received directly on the separating device or on a fabric wrapped about the separating device. In some instances, the web may be compressed between the separating device and an adjacent roll or by a web-compressing device disposed along the fabric transporting the web. The web is then transported to the reel directly from the fabric or other support mechanism extending between the separating device and the reel, without free draw of the web. Associated methods are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2004
    Publication date: September 23, 2004
    Applicant: Metso Paper Karlstad Aktiebolag (AB)
    Inventors: Ingvar Berndt Erik Klerelid, Lars-Erik Roland Onnerlov, Leif Soren Videgren
  • Patent number: 6790315
    Abstract: A drying section for drying a web in a papermaking machine has a pre-drying section and a final drying section, wherein the pre-drying section includes a hot press formed by a first press member and a rotatable counter roll in engagement with each other so as to form a nip therebetween through which the web passes. The hot press further includes a heating device disposed in heat-transfer relation to the counter roll and operable to heat a surface region of the counter roll which then passes through the nip so as to heat the web therein, and an imprinting fabric arranged in an endless loop, the imprinting fabric defining an imprinting surface for imprinting the web and being arranged to pass through the nip of the hot press with the web against the imprinting surface such that the web is imprinted. The imprinting fabric continues to support the imprinted web downstream of the hot press at least up to the final drying section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: Metso Paper Karlstad AB
    Inventor: Ingvar Klerelid
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20040118009
    Abstract: An apparatus for drying a travelling wet fibrous web is provided which comprises a rotating air-permeable drum. The drum is at least partially surrounded by a hood which has an interior space for receiving a flow of air and directing the flow of air through a permeable inner wall towards the outer surface of the drum. At least a portion of the hood is divided into individual sections in a cross-machine direction. Apparatus is provided for supplying a flow of drying air at a first temperature to the hood, and for supplying profiling air at a selected different temperature different from the first temperature to at least one of the individual sections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2002
    Publication date: June 24, 2004
    Applicant: Metso Paper USA, Inc.
    Inventor: Laurent R. Parent
  • Patent number: 6725569
    Abstract: The device (10) and method are used for ventilating an offset pocket space (12) located in a drying section of a papermaking machine by injecting air from a heated dry air supply inlet (11). The offset pocket space (12) is situated between a set of three axially-parallel drying cylinders (20) over which consecutively runs a paper web (14). The device (10) comprises a first air outlet (50) where a first air stream is directed into a cleft (34) defined where the felt (16) rejoins the felt roll (26), and a second air outlet (52) where a second air stream is directed in close proximity to the felt (16) at a location which is upstream of the cleft (34). In use, the device (10) and the corresponding method allow the first air stream to flow through the felt (16) and lift the paper web (14) away from the felt (16) so as to reach the offset pocket space (12). The second air stream creates an air curtain to lower the pressure in a zone between the first (50) and the second air outlet (52).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Assignee: Enerquin Air Inc.
    Inventors: Rémi Turcotte, Dominique Thifault
  • Publication number: 20040060198
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for conditioning fibrous substances, especially wood fibers that are dried in a dryer. In a substantially closed drying circuit (1) a vapor-gas mixture is guided in said dryer as a circulating gas (referred to as vapors) that is separated from the dried fibers (6) in a separator (5) once it has passed the drier, and is then returned to a first heat exchanger (7) connected to the drying circuit (1). Gas is heated in a furnace (11) and is supplied to the heat exchanger to heat the vapors. A partial flow (8) of the vapors is coupled out upstream of the first heat exchanger (7) when seen in the direction of the drying circuit (1), heated in a second heat exchanger (10) and is then supplied to the furnace (11) and combusted. In order to reduce emissions and save energy, the partial flow (8) of vapors coupled out, before being heated in the second heat exchanger (10), is cooled in a vapor condenser (9) and depleted, and the resulting condensation product (14) is fed out.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2003
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventors: Dieter Greubel, Timon Gruber
  • Publication number: 20040055177
    Abstract: An exposure apparatus is provided for performing exposure processes with high accuracy by accurately performing pressure control inside a chamber having a plurality of air-conditioning chambers. The inside of the main chamber which accommodates the exposure apparatus is divided into a plurality of air-conditioning chambers, and a pressure detection device which detects the pressure is provided with each of the plurality of air-conditioning chambers. Also, among the plurality of the air-conditioning chambers, the pressure inside a main column which accommodates an exposure stage on which a wafer in mounted and subjected to an exposure process, is set to be higher than the pressure of the other air-conditioning chambers based on detection results obtained from the pressure detection devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2003
    Publication date: March 25, 2004
    Applicant: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Toshihiko Tsuji, Yoshitomo Nagahashi, Takaaki Kimura, Shinichi Takagi
  • Patent number: 6701638
    Abstract: A machine for the conditioning of laminar flexible products such as industrial hides and skins, including at least one conditioning unit crossed by the products to be processed, blowers for blowing and extracting air directed toward products, and a series of air jets blowing simultaneously on both sides of the products under treatment in a transverse direction with respect to the advancement direction of the products. The products are caused to advance along a substantially horizontal plane by means of pairs of annular threads uniformly distributed across the useful width of the conditioning paths. The threads of each pair are placed on opposite sides and in contact with the products to support and transfer them along the path leaving their side surfaces substantially free. As an alternative, the advancement means are formed by pairs of endless belts in mutually facing relationship to firmly hold the products while permitting passage of blown air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: Officine di Cartigliano SpA
    Inventor: Antonio Polato
  • Patent number: 6694639
    Abstract: A sheet material, a production method therefor and a drying apparatus is provided wherein a heating gas comprising mainly superheated steam is blown directly to reach the sheet internal water content via a permeable belt for restricting free shrinkage of the sheet, to give instantaneous evaporation (pressure flow) and form a porous sheet. A wet sheet 35 is clamped between an externally heated rotor 1 having heated gas blowing ports 19 for blowing heated gas from an outer peripheral direction, and a permeable endless fabric belt 36 which moves in synchronous with the rotor under a tension capable of restraining dry shrinkage of the sheet material, to thereby give rapid direct moisture evaporation and form a porous sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignee: Tokushu Paper Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Morimasa Hanaya