Advance Systems, Inc.

W. R. Grace Co.

Tec Systems, Inc.

Thermo Wisconsin, Inc.

Paul H Stibbe

Robert A Daane

Terry A Hella

Douglas S Stenz

Roy E Downham

Stephen E Dobson

Jerry A Hella

An active web stabilizer including a structure having a leading edge and a working surface coupled by a curved surface, the working surface being positioned proximate to a passing web. An internal pressurized air duct extends along the working surface orthogonally to the passing web. An air nozzle is provided at the leading edge and is in fluid communication with the air duct, the nozzle directing air flow around the curved surface and along the working surface. The air duct includes first and second chambers separated by a perforated baffle. An extension surface extends from the working surface and includes a trailing end which is angled away from the passing web. A comb is associated with the nozzle to promote web spreading.

Active web stabilization apparatus

Web drying equipment, including a dryer through which a web passes, web drying nozzles within the dryer for directing heated air against the web, air supply header means in the dryer and in air delivering communication with the nozzles which discharge heated air toward the web for supporting and drying the web, an exhaust air duct extending from the interior of the dryer for conveying spent air therefrom. An exhaust flow rate control system is provided for controlling the rate of flow of the spent air from the dryer including (1) a valve in the exhaust duct for varying the rate of air flow from the dryer, (2) a controller for operating the valve, (3) a sensor located in the exhaust duct for measuring air pressure therein and for sending a corresponding signal to the controller, (4) a speed sensor for measuring the speed of the web passing through the dryer and sending a corresponding signal to the controller. The controller actuates the exhaust duct valve means in accordance with the signals received from the speed sensor and the air pressure sensor.

Dryer apparatus for floating a running web and having an exhaust flow

Apparatus for floatingly suspending a running web without contact and through an arcuate path and including a series of parallel air bars arranged in an arcuate array for discharging pressurized air outwardly therefrom. Either the first or the last air bars, or both air bars, (in respect to the direction of web travel) may be tilted about their longitudinal axis to correct any non-symmetrical web-to-air bar orientation and to provide more stable pressure profile for the air cushion in a symmetrical web flow pattern. A line of equipment for processing a running web and including (1) a preliminary web treating machine from which the web exits selectively at two different locations and thus at two different angles; (2) apparatus for floatingly suspending the running web through an arcuate path; and (3) a floater dryer located at the discharge end of the turning apparatus; thus, the arcutate array of air bars can accommodate different web paths as the web exits from the web treating machine.

Apparatus for floatingly suspending a running web through an arcuate path

Apparatus for floatingly suspending a running web through an elongated dryer, and having a series of air delivering, individual air bars located along the length of the web for discharging air towards the web for supporting the latter, the spent air then passing into the space between the air bars; and baffle plates having air discharge openings, the baffle plates being located between adjacent air bars for controlling the discharge of spent air from between the bars, in a generally vertical and parallel direction to the longitudinal centerline of the web, to thereby prevent lateral movement of the spent air and consequently prevent lateral movement of the web.

Dryer apparatus for floating a running web and having baffle means for

Apparatus for drying a running paper web and floatingly suspending it without contact during the drying process, including air bars which are spaced apart from one another along each side of the web and are fed with pressurized air for a supply duct. The air bars have an air supply opening, and the supply ducts have an air feed neck adapted to be inserted in said air bar supply openings for directing pressurized air thereto, O-ring type seals are located between the bar openings and the duct feed necks to permit relative sealing movement between the bars and supply duct an angular adjustment between said air bar and the duct permits tilting of the bars longitudinally relative to the web to vary the angle of the air discharge against the web.

Mounting means for air bars

An air bar for apparatus for drying a running paper web and floatingly suspending it without contact during the drying process, the air bars being spaced along both the upper and lower surface of the web. The air bars have an air distribution chamber including an easily manufactured and assembled slidable, perforated plate.

Air bar for paper web handling apparatus and having an air distributing

An air bar for floating a running web and having two spaced apart air nozzles through which pressurized air is directed against the web to form a supporting air cushion for the web. The nozzles are elongated slots extending transversely of the web and which are positioned at each edge of an intervening plate that also is located transversely of and closely adjacent the running web. The plate has curved edges, one located adjacent each of the slots whereby the air issuing from the slots tends to follow the curvature of the curved edges, thereby tending to direct the two issuing jets of air from the slots towards one another. The plate, commonly referred to as a Coanda plate, has a recessed portion between the slots and which is located inwardly or below the slots to thereby create a sufficient space between the web and the plate to cause generation of air turbulence, vortexes and eddy currents in the pressurized air zone or cushion between the web and the plate, which results in increased floatation pressure for the web and increased heat transfer of the material, such as printing, which is on the web.

High velocity web floating air bar having a recessed Coanda plate

An elongated and generally tubular air bar having pressurized air discharge slot means extending transversely across a web to be floated by the bar, the bar having an internal air delivery passage communicating with the transverse slot means. The interior of the air bar is supplied with pressurized air which first enters the internal passage before it is delivered to the discharge slot means whereby a tortuous path is provided for the air and through which the pressurized air must pass before being discharged by the slot means against the web, thereby cross machine momentum components of air flow are dissipated before the air is discharged by the slot means against the web and uniform drying of the web in a cross machine direction is assured.

High velocity web floating air bar having an internal passage for

Apparatus for heating the recirculated air from a web dryer in such a manner that the recirculated air does not come in direct contact with the flame of the burner in which the fuel and air for combustion are mixed and burned. Because the solvent-laden recirculated air does not come in contact with the flame, alteration or partial incineration of the hydrocarbons does not occur. When printing inks are formulated with non-photochemically reactive solvents and used in conjunction with the present apparatus, other methods of solvent collection are available for air pollution control instead of energy-consuming incineration (thermal or catalytic); and in some cases no control method is required. The present apparatus provides an area for the complete combustion of the fuel/air mixture from the burner before leaving the containment tube and mixing with the recirculated air.

Growing community of inventors

DePere, WI, United States of America

Paul H Stibbe