Endless Conveyor Having Material Gripper Patents (Class 34/660)
  • Patent number: 7159334
    Abstract: A web coating machine for coating a web of material having first and second faces and a web travel path, the web coating machine including a tension zone in a portion of the web travel path, a fixed port structure over which the web travels, and a web positioning device including at least one gas flow port in the port structure capable of generating a vacuum that brings the first face of the web of material into contact with a portion of the port structure immediately surrounding one of more of the gas flow ports and reduces, retards or arrests longitudinal travel of the web of material through the web coating machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: William Blake Kolb, Don W. Hendrickson, Gary L. Huelsman
  • Patent number: 6932756
    Abstract: A corrugated cardboard manufacturing machine (10) wherein at least one continuous supporting belt (11) for supporting/conveying a sheet of cardboard is moved along a predetermined path by actuating means (13); and where the supporting belt (11) is defined by a mat of multispiral fabric (1) preferably made of synthetic polymer fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: Feltri Marone S.p.A.
    Inventor: Paolo Franchi
  • Patent number: 6569290
    Abstract: A bi-component link for making a modular papermaking fabric has a link base component capable of interconnecting to at least one other link and a surface plate component attached to the link base forming a paper support surface. Each component is made through molding techniques to have predetermined characteristics such as open area, permeability, surface finish, etc. The surface plate component is attached to the link base component for combined effect on fabric characteristics. A papermaking fabric is constructed from a plurality of interconnected bi-component links and has predetermined permeability established by the combination of a pattern of open and contact areas on each component of each link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: AstenJohnson, Inc.
    Inventor: C. Barry Johnson
  • Patent number: 5761829
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a high yield apparatus for drying rigid or flexible printed circuit boards. The apparatus comprises a box-like structure which defines a drying tunnel, having an inlet opening and an outlet opening. The apparatus comprises moreover heated air circulating means for circulating heated air inside the tunnel as well as driving means for driving the printed circuit boards along the tunnel. The driving means comprise at least a pair of chains which are arranged parallel to one another and are entrained about a first pinion and a second pinion, having parallel axes, and respectively located near the inlet opening and near the outlet opening. The chains are provided with gripping means for supporting the printed circuit boards along the tunnel. The gripping means are suitable to automatically engage the printed circuit boards near the inlet opening and to automatically release the printed circuit boards near the outlet opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Inventor: Pietro Dallera