Eastman-kodak Company

Edward S Jones

Shamal L Suthar

Harold C Worden

Carl F Dresie

Kurt H Strobl

Stephen R Shelley

Scott C Ofslager

Vratislav M Michal

Roopnarine Hazarie

Timothy R Mahns

Solvent based film is produced in an endless belt casting apparatus (10) in which, within initial compartments (46-52), flows of gas are directed through transversely elongated inlet channels (85.sub.i) to contact a layer (36') of polymer and solvent supported by an endless belt (26) and flows of gas and solvent vapors are withdrawn from the vicinity of the layer by transversely elongated gas plenums (68); within subsequent compartments (54-62), flows of gas are directed through elongated inlet plenums (74) to contact the layer and flows of gas and solvent vapors are withdrawn through transversely elongated exhaust channels (85.sub.o); within all compartments along upper and lower spans of the belt, flows of gas are directed at the inner side (30) of the belt from transversely elongated gas plenums (70) and flows of gas are withdrawn though outlets (72); and within initial compartments (46-52), flows of cooling gas are directed at the edges of the inner side of the belt from cooling nozzles (146,148). Corresponding methods are taught.

Method for drying solvent based film

Solvent based film is produced in an endless belt casting apparatus (10) in which, within initial compartments (46-52), flows of gas are directed through transversely elongated inlet channels (85.sub.i) to contact a layer (36') of polymer and solvent supported by an endless belt (26) and flows of gas and solvent vapors are withdrawn from the vicinity of the layer by transversely elongated gas plenums (68); within subsequent compartments (54-62), flows of gas are directed through elongated inlet plenums (74) to contact the layer and flows of gas and solvent vapors are withdrawn through transversely elongated exhaust channels (85.sub.o); within all compartments along upper and lower spans of the belt, flows of gas are directed at the inner side (30) of the belt from transversely elongated gas plenums (70) and flows of gas are withdrawn though outlets (72); and within initial compartments (46-52), flows of cooling gas are directed at the edges of the inner side of the belt from cooling nozzles (146, 148).

Apparatus for drying solvent based film

Apparatus is disclosed for producing thin polymeric film and includes a source (17) of a solution of polymer and solvent; a casting member (10) having an outer surface (12) for receiving a cast layer (18) of polymer and solvent, the layer having a transverse width; a casting die (16) for casting the layer of polymer and solvent onto the outer surface, the die including a transverse slot (20) with adjacent upstream and downstream lips (22, 24) between which the polymer and solvent flow during casting, the lips having lengths approximating the transverse width of the layer; and a device (11 ) for moving the outer surface past the casting die. Improved devices are provided for optically inspecting (26, 32) the lips to detect a presence of agglomerations of polymer on the lips; for directing a stream of solvent (28, 34) at the lip to wash away any detected agglomeration; for supporting (58, 116) the device for inspecting and the device for directing; and for traversing (44, 48, 52, 64; 90, 96, 106, 120) the device for supporting back and forth along the length of the lip to facilitate inspecting and washing of the lip.

Apparatus and method for inspecting and cleaning lips of castings die

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East Rochester, NY, United States of America

Edward S Jones