Measurex Corporation

Bruce S Taylor

Mathew G Boissevain

Ramesh Balakrishnan

Robert L Beaman

Laslo Dudas

A system for at least partly decoupling the control of sheet finish and sheet caliper in a calender stack is disclosed. The system includes a heating device for heating the sheet with dry heat substantially immediately before the sheet is pressed by an upstream nip of the calender stack and a moisturizer for moisturizing the sheet substantially immediately before the sheet is pressed at a downstream nip of the calender stack. The sheet is moisturized without substantially altering the sheet temperature.

Calender system for decoupling sheet finish and caliper control

An apparatus for controlling the cross-directional smoothness profile of the surface of a calenderable material substantially independently of the materials's caliper profile. A plurality of adjustable nozzles selectively direct jets of steam of selected velocities against sections of the material across the material's width and in counterflow to its movement, immediately before the material enters the last nip of a calender stack. Built-in steam control valves are provided to control the amount of steam applied to each section. Suction means may also be provided upstream of the nozzles, with reference to the movement of the calenderable material, to remove excess steam and thus prevent undesirable condensation on adjacent structures. The smoothness profile may be monitored and compared to a desired smoothness profile and the valves and nozzles may be adjusted accordingly.

Cross-directional smoothness controller and method of using the same

A moisture control system including an apparatus for discharging independently variable amounts of working fluid toward selected cross-directional sections of a calendered sheet material after the material has left the calender stack and before it is taken up by a collection device. The apparatus includes a plurality of valves spaced across the width of the calendered material to control the amount of fluid applied to each section. Nozzles provided on the valves direct the fluid from the valves toward a surface of the calenderable material. The system permits cross-directional equalization of the moisture content of the calendered material without affecting other physical properties of the sheet, such as sheet finish.

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San Jose, CA, United States of America

Bruce S Taylor