Eastman-kodak Company

Solomon T Korokeyi

Kenneth J Ruschak

Douglas S Finnicum

Robert J Deprez

Kurt S Hardenbrook

A method and apparatus for preventing vortical air flow behind a free-falling curtain in a curtain coating apparatus. There is a critical region within the coating apparatus defined in part by a coating hopper, the free-falling curtain delivered from the coating hopper, a portion of the moving substrate supported on a roller to which the free-falling curtain is delivered, and an air shield located between the roller and the coating hopper. A first intake slot proximate to the moving substrate shield is used to remove boundary-layer air entrained on the moving substrate. A second intake slot positioned within the critical region is used to remove boundary-layer air entrained on the free-falling curtain. Each of the two intake slots is connected to vacuum source. One or two vacuum sources may be used.

Method and apparatus for curtain coating

The present invention relates to a coating hopper for applying one or more layers of photographic liquid onto a web of paper or film support. The device incorporates a liquid passage system with a metering slot of defined width which leads to an expansion section having an increasing width as liquid moves away from the metering slot. The expansion section is connected to a discharge slot having a defined width greater than that of the metering slot which delivers photographic liquid to a location on the coating device where a layer of that liquid is formed.

Liquid passage system for photographic coating devices

The present invention relates to a fluid conditioning system having a primary distribution channel configured to distribute coating fluid transversely. Fluid from the primary distribution channel is carried by a second conduit to a secondary distribution channel which is configured to minimize transverse pressure gradients in fluids having Reynolds Numbers of up to 50 without substantial formation of eddies. A product conduit withdraws liquid from the secondary distribution channel. This fluid conditioning system is particularly useful in applying photographic liquids to a web of photographic film or paper. For this utility, the system can be incorporated in a conventional slide hopper between adjacent layering plates or the liquid-applying plate and its adjacent layering plate.

Growing community of inventors

Rochester, NY, United States of America

Solomon T Korokeyi