US2105981A - Machine for applying mobile films - Google Patents

Description

Jan. 18, 1938. P. J. MAssl-:Y Er AL MACHINEFOR APPLYING MOBILE FILMS 4 Smets-sheet 1 Filed Sept. 1l. 1935 wml. i.- NM. m ww o 11N o MN ry O O. O .O O WN, LNI? N%\ \1\ \W\\ J @NN w LN Jan. 18, 1938. P. J. MAsSEY Er Al. 2l0598l MACHINE FOR APPLYING MOBILE FILMS Filed Sept. 1l, 1935 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Jan. 181938. P. J. MASSEY Er AL MACHINE FOR APPLYING MOBILE FILMS 4 Sheets-Shet 3 Filed Sept. 11, 1935 Jan. 18, 1938. P. J. MASSEY Er An.

MACHINE FOR APPLYING MOBILE' FILMS Filed Sept. ll, 1935 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 m e; w @5m wwf It? M Jj @d w Patented Jan. 18, 1938 UNITED STATES glossar momma Foa mme nomma mms Peter J. Massey, River Forest, lll.. and William F. -Tlliele and Bert F. Raprager, Rapids, Wis., assignors, by meme assignments, of ninetenths to Gonsolidated WaterPower & Paper Company, Wisconsin Rapids, Wis., a tion of'Wiseonsln. and one-tenth to Massey, Chicago, lll.

corpora- Peter J.

Application September 11, 1935, Serial No. 40,150V

18 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in coating devices and refers specically to a machine for coating paper for printing purposes, the device being characterized in that the coating material is applied to` one or both surfaces of a continuously advancing web by means of rolls, the coating being in its finished condition as initially applied necessitating no further working after its application to the web.

One of the important features of our invention resides in the provision of one or more sets of distributing rolls whereby the coating material is worked prior to its transfer to the applicator rolls, the axes of the distributing rolls of each set being disposed in substantially the same horizontal plane, whereby deflection of said rolls is in the same direction and a uniform nip pressure is secured along the entire length of each of the rolls to work the coating material forwardvuniformly.

Another important feature of our invention resides in means whereby all osculating rolls may be adjusted with respect to each other to within a fraction of one-thousandth of an inch, the

adjusting means being such as to permit adjust-V ment during operation of the machine.

A further feature of our invention comprises means whereby all of said osculating rolls may be conveniently separated from each other and returned to osculating position without in anywisealtering the original adjustment hereinbeprovision of cleaning rolls, for cleaning the applicator rolls, said cleaning rolls having hard porous surfaces of the character of articial stone,.

and said rolls being urged into contact with said applicator rolls by pneumatic means.

A further object of om` invention comprises the use of blasts of hot air directed to the passing coated web in such a manner as to eliminate wrinkles and to set and dry the coating materials; also the use of blasts of hot air directed between the web and drying rolls over which the web is trained to cushion the coated web upon' said rolls and thus prevent injury to the coating.

the hot air chambers shown in Fig. 5.

(Cl. ill-50) Other objects and advantages of our invention will be apparent from the accompanying drawings and followingV detailed description. Y

In the drawings, Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic sidev elevational view of our coating device.

Fig. 2a is an enlarged view of a portion of the coating machine. l

lFig. 2b is an enlarged view of the remaining portion of the machine complementary to that shown in Fig. 2a.

Fig.' 3 is a fragmentary side. elevational view of one of the metering rolls, illustrating particu larly the dams at the end of vtherolls.

Fig. 4 is an elevational view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 3. y

Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional view taken through the hot air chambers above and below the passing web.

Fig. 6 is a plan view, either top or bottom, of

Referring in detail to the drawings,- I indicates the coating machine comprising our invention, said machine being particularly adaptable for carrying out the processes described in the patents to Peter J. Massey, Patents Nos. 1,921,368 and 1,921,369. The machine l can be operated as a coating unit per se, in which case any type of coating may be applied to either or,both surfaces of any type of nexible web, or the machine may be used as a unit of apaper making machine, in which case said machine is preferably interposed between banks or batteries of dryers. In the latter case, of course, the coating will be applied to a fibrous web, either paper or board passed directly fromthe paper forming portion of the paper machine after preliminary drying.

For purposes of example themachine is herein described in the latter mentioned environment, namely, in conjunction with a paper making machine and the coating applied to the paper web is adapted to be such as to render a surface or the surfaces of the 'web suitable for printing. The machinel comprises essentially two sets of substantially similar. instrumentalities designated generally at 2 and' 3, being the mechanisms for respectively coating the upper 'and lower faces of a paper web 4 which passes continuously from the preliminary dryers 5. The web I after being coated is passed to the final dryers 6 wherein the web is dried to the desired degree. The upper mechanism 2 is suspended from a frame l1 which is supported by columns 8 4and 9. The lower mechanism 3 may be mounted immediately beneath the mechanism 2. y

Referring particularly to Fig. 2a, l0 indicates 55 J inoppositely ypositioned lugs or brackets tithe f supporting. connection comprising av pivot l. i3

whereby the frame members may be Means l (not shown) arev provided whereby air or fiuid under pressure may be introduced' into cylinder |0 either above or below piston I|, or, if desired, a vacuum may be established above or below piston H within cylinder lll. In either case, piston can be moved upwardly or downwardly in cylinder I0 which, of course, causes cylinder lil to rock about bearings I3 and frames i4 to rock about pivots I6. The purpose of so operating this mechanism will be hereinafter fully described.

A pair of standards I1 may be pivotally mounted upon frame members i4, said standards being swingable or rockable about pivots I8. 'I'he upper ends of each of the standards I1 carry bearings I8 which support roll 20 between them. A pair of standards 2| may be rigidly mounted upon frame member I4,-said standards carrying bearings 22 which support roll 2 3. AA bushing 24 is pivotally secured. as at 25, to an upper vextension of standards l1 upon each side of the machine, said bushing being adapted to receive one end of screw 26, said screw being threaded in said bushing. A bushing 21 is pivotally secured to anupper extension of each standard 2 |,the opposite end of screw 26being threaded in said bushing. A capstan 23 is mounted upon the central portion of screw 26. 'Ihe arrangement is such that, upon rotation of capstan 28 and therefore screw 26, rolls 20 and 23 may be adjusted with respect to each other, the opposite ends of screw 26 having pitches of opposite direction or the opposite threads may be pitched in the same direction but of different degree.

Referring particularly to the upper mechanism 2, the apparatus hereinbefore described is substantially duplicated. However, said apparatus is in inverted position and is carried by the frame 1. A cylinder 23 is carried upon bearings 30, a piston 3l being slidably movable within said cyl- Inder and secured to a piston rod 32 which in turn is connected to rod 33 which is carried between opposite frame members 34. Frame members 34 are pivotally'secured to lugs 35 upon each side of the machine which, in turn. are carried by frame 1.

Standards 38 and 31 are mounted in spaced relationship uponk each frame member 34, said standards carrying bearings 33 and 39 respectively between which rolls 40 and 4| are mounted. The outer ends of standards 38 and 31, in this case, thelower ends, are adjustably tied together by means of screw 42 which carries capstan 43, the ends. of said screw being threadedly engaged in bushings 44 and 45, pivotally mounted upon standards 36 and 31 respectively. Similar to the corresponding apparatus in the lower mechanism 3, the contiguity of rolls 40 and 4| may be controlled.

Rolls 20 and 23 and rolls 40 and 4|, hereinafter referredto as fountain or gate rolls. areadapted to carry in their respective nips a quantity of liquid or semi-liquid coating material which is dem-ered. .throughappropriate agencies "nous zu, 23,. annifaroverfwimmehert.

i Thexollsfperlse are constructed oi metal. preferably of a nonfcorrosiveftypa-.andthe rubber covier-ings-andllffextendahnrt of each endzoi the roll, as shown best inVFlg.'3-1In. .order to retain the coatingniaterialfinthe nip of the. rolls,

rolls,V alli et whfchf will-be .herein set of gate'rollsgis provided at each end with'a pair ofdams 48 and 43, dams-43 riding over therubber coverings'and dams'48 riding over the metal rolls adjacent the ends of the covering. A water pipe 50, controlled by valve 5| discharges in the spaces between each oi the dams 48 and 43 and serves to lubricate said dams, said dams being rolls 20, 23, 40 and 4|. To exercise such control in addition to the proper manipulation of capstans 28 and 43 which control the contiguity of leach pair of rolls, said rolls are adapted to be driven at different peripheral speeds, that is, rolls 28 and 40 will be driven at a diil'erent speed than rolls 23 and 4|. It is preferred that the drive of rolls 23 and 4| be such as to' drive said rolls from a speed equal to the speed of the rolls to which the lm of coating material is transferred to a speed approximately one-fourth as much. Rolls 20 and 4|) are driven over a maximum range of speed preferably from one revolution per minute to full speed corresponding to the maximum speed of rolls 23 and 4|.

In practice, a Ward Leonard" drive is utilized to drive rolls 20 and 40, said drive (not shown) comprising a direct current motor energized by a direct current generator both being separately excited and the generator being driven by any suitable prime mover. The speed of the motor may be controlled from approximately half speed to full speed by means of variation of the motor field current, that is, by reducing the field current for higher speeds and increasing the field current for lower speeds. The speed of the motor for speeds less than half speed is controlled by varying the impressed voltage upon the motor amature which is accomplished by varying the generator ield current. To vary the speed of rolls 23 and 4| a mechanical speed changerof the Reeves or *"link belt type is used, the speed changer being driven by any suitable means (not shown). It is obvious that the greater the differential in peripheral speed between rolls 2| and 23 and 4|! and 4I, the less will be the thickness of coating film applied to rolls 23 and 4I and hence less coating material will be transferred to the system.

In the lower mechanism the film of coating material is transferred from roll 23 to distributing roll 52 which revolves in a clockwise direction.

quantities of coating to the web. In our machine 1 such control is obtained primarily by the gate The lm is transferredmtherefrom roll 53 which revolves in va*counter-clockwise di' rection, thence to roll 54 whichrevolv'es'clockwise. From roll 54 the film istransferred to form rolls 55 and 56 both of whichrevolve in acounterclockwise direction. VForm-.rollsV 55 and 56 transfer the ilm to coating roll 51 which` revolves in a clockwise direction and byA which the liilxri is applied to one surface of the webj 4,."

In the upper mechanism 2, the lfilm of coating material carried upon the surface lof'roll 4| is transferred to theA surface of roll 58,v which revolves in a clockwise direction. VFrom roll 58 the lm of coating material is transferred to roll 59 which rotates in acounter-,clockwise direction. Roll 59 passes the illm to roll lill which revolves in a'clockwise direction. Roil,68-transfers the ilm of coating material to the surface ofroll 6| which rotates in a counter-clockwisegdirection.v From roll 6| the lmis' passed to rolls 62 and 63, both of which revolve .in a clockwise direction. The form rolls 62 and 63 pass the -iilm from their surfaces tothe surface of the Vupper coating roll 64 whereby said lm is applied tothe upper surface of the web 4 simultaneously with vthe application of a similar film to .the lower .surface thereof by roll 51'.

Rolls 51 and 64 revolve at the same peripheral speed which is equal to the linear speed of web 4. In the lower mechanism 3'rolls 52, 53, 51|,- 55 and 56Y all revolve at the same peripheral speed as roll 51 and in the'upper mechanism 2 rolls 58, 59, 60, 6| and 62 and 63 revolve at the same peripheral speed as coating roll 64. It will be noted thatA all .of the rolls comprising the lower mechanism 3 with the exception of the form rolls 55 and 56 have their axes, disposed in: the same horizontal plane. Similarly all of the rolls comprising the upper mechanism 2 with the exceptionof the form roll 62 and 63 have their axes disposed in a common horizontal plane. In transferring the lms of coating material from the coating rolls 51 and 64, the thickness of said film must be controlled to a ne degree of accuracy. vThe filmv in passing from roll to roll throughout the upperv and lower mechanisms is with respect to their'contiguity. It is well known that members of relativelygreat weight such as the rolls herein used, being supported only at their ends, deect due to their weight. By disposing substantially all of the rolls in a common horizontal plane, the deflection of all of said rolls is in the same direction and a film of uniform thickness may be carried throughout the entire surface of each of the rolls. 'I'his is a very important feature of our invention in view of the fact'that the iilms of coating applied to the web are applied as nished films necessitating no further working after'application to the web. Consequently said film must be prepared with the highest degree of accuracy and care, particularly with respect to its thickness. iIn addition, it will be noted that therolls comprising the upper and lower mechanisms, that is, rolls 58, 59, 68, 6|, 62 and 63 and rolls 52, 53, 54, 55 and 56 are alloi dierent diameters.

It can readily be seen that inasmuch as the peripheral speeds of all of said rolls are equal, the fact that the diameters are diierent prevents thesurfaces of adjacent rolls from repeatedly contacting along the same line. In other words, a portion of the surface of roll 52, which at one revolution contacts a predetermined portion of the surface of roll 53, will not` again contact said predetermined portion for a long period ofntime. In this manner the surfaces of the rolls are maintained in uniform condition and ridges will not be formed upon the coating iilm carried upon the surfaces of the rolls. In order that the direction of rotation of the coating rolls'be correlated with respect to the direction of rotation ofthe gate rolls in both the upper and lower mechanisms. an additional roll is provided in the upper mechanism 2, namely roll 58, which serves merely as an agency for changing the direction of rotation.

Roll 52 is carried by bearings 65 whlch,'in turn, are carried by standards 66 positioned upon each side ofthe machine. Standards 66 lare pivotally mounted as at 61 to lugs .68. Each of the standards 66 is provided with upward .ex tensions 69which carry guides 10. A bearing block 1| is slidably positioned in said guides and may be adjusted upwardlyV or downwardly by means of capstan screw 12.- A roll '13 lmay be journalled in bearings 1| and is adapted to be disposed in osculating position with respect to roll 52. Roll 13 is an idler roll and is driven only by means of its contact with roll 52. Roll' 13 in so contacting roll 52 assists in working and smoothing the lm of coating material carried by roll 52.

Roll. 53 is carried at each of its ends in bear- .ings 14 which, in turn, are carried at the upper ends ofstan'dards 15 positioned at each side of both rolls 52 and 53, conventionalmeans (not shown) is provided for oscillating said rolls longitudinally simultaneously with their rotation, which action further assists in working and smoothing the coating material carried upo their peripheral surfaces. ,Y

R011 54 is carried by bearings 1s which, in turn, are mounted upon standards 19 positioned at each side of the machine, said standards being pivotally supported as at 66 upon lugs 8l.

Roll 56 is carried by bearings 82 .which are slidably positioned in guides 83. said guides being carried by standards 84 upon each side of the machine.

Standards 84 are pivotally mounted as at 85 upon lugs 86. Bearings 82 may be moved upwardly or downwardly thereby moving roll 56 upwardly or downwardly by means of the adjusting capstan screw 81. Roll 55 is carried by bearings 88 which, in turn, are carried by standards 89 also pivotally mounted upon lugs 86 as at 85. Standards 89 comprise a frame which embraces a portion of standards 84 and the center line of bearings 88 can be changed with respect to the center line of bearings 82 by means of set screws 90 threadedly positioned upon opposite sides of each of the standards 89 and adapted to bear upon the guide portions of standards 84.

Rolls 58, 59, 60, 6|, 62 and 63 are mounted in substantially the same manner as rolls 52, 53, 54, 55 and 56. To facilitate a'nd simplify the description only those portions of the upper mechanism associated with said rolls which differ from the lower rolls will be described. In View of the fact that rolls 58 to 63 inclusive are positioned above the passing web 4, said rolls are -disposed upon suspended supports, all of said supports being pivotally connected to the frame 1. Roll 6l)l has associated therewith an idler roll 9| which is journalled in bearings 92 movable in-.gui'des'-98; 'l'.he function'of" the. roll-'. lli/ia4 t v v similar-tothat offrollilssaitrollbia r Tofobtalnthisminute control is one of izo-1bear-nnen the surface `of roll 80 and itdrlven.: only throughitszcontacts withroll 80.' Similar to rolls 52 and 53 rolls 58v and 80'may bev oscillated longitudinally by conventional means. (notv ceptio'n that-the standards-which carryrolls 52' anda-531 are. suspended.

Rolls 51 and 64 are rubberv covered ,similar (Severed,l the rubber being of lowdensity vand- 'relati-vely setti- Rolls 54 and 5| are-covered'with.

rubber havingaA comparatively high-density, or, if desired, saidrolls may be uncovered and constructed of a non-'corrosive metal. Rolls 53 and 60 are covered with comparatively soft rubber and roll 9| is covered with mediumhard rubber as is also roll 13. Rolls 52 and 5S are covered with a medium hard rubber or, if desired, may be of a non-corrosive metal construction. Roll 58 is covered with a medium hard rubber.

Coating rolls 51 and 54 are preferably driven by means of conventional cone pulleys and belt (not shown) from the indrlving shaft of dryers 5 and 5 as the coating roll must be driven from either one source or the other in order to provide means for taking care of the draw of the paper web. The entire coating machine may be driven from the indrlving shaft of dryer 5 or the in- -driving .shaft of dryer 6. Rolls 53, 54, 55 and 56 and rolls Y'58, 59,' 60, fi, Sland may be driven from rolls 51 and 54 throughs. suitablev l train of gears vand indrlving shafts (not shown).

' Inplace of said gearv train. if desired. the indriving shafts of rolls 51 and 84 may drive alternating or direct current generators. Either alternating or direct current motors may then drive the rolls, above mentioned through suitable reducing gears, each roll being driven by a separate motor. If an alternating current generator is driven by the indrlving shaft of rolls 51 and 64 the usual induction motors of relatively high speed and relatively small diameter may be used and the correct peripheral speed is obtained by means of the\ gear ratio between the motor and the rolls. As the speed of the rolls 51 and 54 is changed from time to time the induction motors will follow as the slip on the induction motor changes very little with the change in frequency of the generator. On account of the simplicity of operation of the induction motors they are preferred to direct current motors, however, a direct current generator and direct current motors may be used by separately exciting all of the direct current motors and generator. The voltage of the generator will then vary with the speed of rolls 51 and 54 and consequently the speed of the direct current motors will vary as the impressed voltage varies and thereby the speed of the rolls will follow the speed of the coating rolls.

As has been hereinbefore described the eillcacy of our machine resides in the ability to apply a film of predetermined thickness and quality to the surface of a passing web. To obtain such nlm the material is passed over the surfaces of a plurality of distributing rolls which passage the Vprin'iartr 'features of.y ouri invention.

' A bushing is pivotallysecuredtotbe frame member i4 as at 95, said bushingbeingpositioxd in; anrecess :Maid said: frame.;v Another.. bushing .standard 85, said .bus'hiiiglieing-V provided with a slot'88-inwhichpin nl'sadapted to be positioned. A screw |00 isjthreadedly positioned at each of lits endsf in bushings 84' and 81 respectively, said cperable'by-means'ofa capstan I 0|. The arrangement 'is such thaty by manipulation 'of capetan it; standard 85 and 'frame member .I4 maybe positioned a desired distance from each other and, consequently, the surfaces of rolls 23 and 52 may be' positioned a predetermined distance from each other. Screw |00 functions as a spacer and when operating to control the distance between rolls 23 and 52, said screw acts as a compression member, roll 23 being urged toward roll 52 by means of compressed air in the lower portion of cylinder I0. The threads at opposite ends of screw |00 may be pitched in opposite directions or said threads may be pitched in the same direction but of a diiIerent degree. In this manner the proximity or contiguity of roll 23 with respect to roll 52 may be very clely controlled. In practice this proximity may be controlled to a fraction of one-thousandth of an inch.

In a similar manner the proximity of rolls 52 and 53 are controlled, a bushing |02 being pivotally secured to pin 88 and a bushing |03 being pivotally secured to pin |04 carried by 'standard 15, bushing |03 being provided with a slot similar to slot981rBushings |02 and |03 may be operatively connected by means of capstan screw |05 which functions similar to screw |08 to control the spacing or degree of contiguity of rolls 52' and 53.

The spacing of roll 53 with respect to roll 54 is controlled by means of an arrangement similar to those described with respect to rolls 23 and 52, and rolls 52 and 53. In view of the fact that the mechanism is identical with that hereinabove described, it is believed that the same will be apparent to those skilled in the art Without further description.

An arm |06 is carried by bearing 18, said arm in turn carrying pin |01. Bearing 88 is provided with an arm |08 which carries pin |08. A bushing ||0 may be pivotally secured to pin |08 and a bushing I may be pivoted to pin |01, said bushing being provided with a slot ||2. A capstan screw ||3 operatively connects bushings H0 and III in a manner similar to the capstan screwshereinbefore described. By this arrangement it can readily be seen that standard 88 which carries roll 55 may be spaced a desired distance from standard 18 which carries roll 54 and inasmuch as standards 88 and standards 84 may be adjusted .relative to each other, the manipulation of capstan screw ||3 also controls the relative positions of standards 18 and 84. In this manner the degree of contiguity or proximity of roll 54 and rolls 55 and 55 may be controlled.

Coating roll 51 is mounted upon bearings ||4 wbich,.in turn, are supported by standards |l5. Bearing ||4 carries an upwardly extending lug ||5 which, in turn carries pin ||1. Bearing 88 has an outwardly extending arm H8 which carries pin H8. A bushing |28 is pivotally secured to pin ||8 and a bushing |2| is pivotally connected to pin II1, said last mentioned bushing being provided with an elongated slot |22 in which pin ||1 is adapted to be disposed. A capstan screw |23 operatively connects bushings |20 and |2 and controls the degree of contiguity of rolls 55 and 56 with respect to the coatingbrought to Vthe predetermined position determined by the adjustment of said capstan screws by means of the application of air or other fluid under superatmospheric pressure within the lower portion of cylinder l0. It can readily be seen that when piston acts to move frame member I4 in clockwise direction, pins 98, |04, |01 and ||1 will be positioned at the extreme left end of the slots in which said pins are respectively positioned. It frequently happens that the web 4 breaks. This is a common occurrence in a paper mill. Ii the web happens to break while passing over the various distributing rolls comprising the lower mechanism, said web would tend to wind upon one or more of the rolls. Obviously if this situation occurred the winding web would tend to force the rolls away from each other. However, in view of the fact that all of the rolls are ultimately urged towards each other by means of uid under pressure within cylinder I0, a broken web would not cause anybreakage in the machine since piston would merely be urged against a cushion of air under superatmospheric pressure within cylinder I6.

In addition, in view of the fact that close adjustment of the proximity of the rolls is of vital importance, it is desirable that the breakage of a web such as above described, would not throw said rolls out of adjustment. Further, it may be desired to separate each of the rolls from one another without changing the ultimate adjustment of the rolls. Each of these situations can be taken care of in our machine without the necessity of laboriously re-adjusting the rolls.

If it is desired to separate the rolls as hereinbefore described, it is merely necessary to introduce iuid under pressure above piston within cylinder l and relieve the pressure below said piston. When this is done rolls 55 and 56 are rocked about pivot 85 in a counter-clockwise direction and are separated from roll 51 a dis- -slots.

tance substantially equal to the length of the slot |22. imilarly roll 54 rocks about pivot 80 and is separated from rolls 55 and 56 a distance equal to the length of slot H2. In like manner each of the rolls 53 and 52 rock in a counterclockwisedirection about pivots 16 and 61 respectivey a distance equal to the length of the slots in bushings 91 and |03. The frame member i4 also rocks in a counter-clockwise direction a distance substantially equal to the summation of the distans comprising the various However, rolls 20 and 23 do not separate iny view of the factthat both of said rolls move with frame member |4 as a unit. By this arrangement the coating material carried in the nip of said rolls is still retained therein. It can readily be seen that after said rolls have been separated in the manner hereinabove described, iiuid under pressure may be applied to the lower side of piston I and the pressure may be relieved from the upper side of said piston. The resultn adjusting the capstans.

The same operation can also be carried out with respect to the upper mechanism 2. How` ever, in the case of the upper mechanism the standards rotate about their suspending pivots. If the rolls are to be maintained in separated relationship for a considerable period of time, it is not necessary to maintain pressure on the upper portion of piston within cylinder I0 since the standards will remain in their canted position under the iniiuence of gravity. However, in view of the fact that the upper standards would tend to return to contiguous position, means is provided for positively holding the frame member 34 in rocked position thereby holding all of the upper standards in canted position. This means comprises a platform |24 which is swingably positioned upon pin |25 carried by bracket |26 mounted upon column 8. Pin |25 comprises an extension of rod |21 which carries at its lower end a bevel gear |26 which meshes with bevel gear |29 carried upon shaft |30. A hand'wheel |3| is rigidly connected to shaft |30 and functions to rotate said shaft together with shaft |21. When air under pressure is introduced into cylinder 29 at the lower side of piston 3| and frame member 34 is rocked in a clockwise direction,platform |24 is swung to a position substantially parallel to column 8. After frame member 34 has been brought to the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2a, platform |24 is rotated by means of hand wheel |3| to its extended position whereby the end of frame member 34 can be supported. In this manner the upper rolls may be maintained in spaced relationship without the necessity of maintaining a continuous supply of fluid under pressure for cylinder 29. n

To wash or clean rolls 52, 53, 54, 55, 56 and 51, and rolls 58, 59, 60, 6|, 62, 63 and 64, means is provided whereby frame members |4 and 34 may be rocked to separate rolls 23 and 52 and rolls 4| and 58 without separating the remaining rolls. This means comprises a bushing |32 having a forked end |33 which is adapted to embrace an eccentric (not shown) carried by pin |34. An arm |35 is keyed to pin |34 and. is adapted to rotate said eccentric. A bushing |36 may be pivotally connected to an intermediate portion of standard 66, said bushing being provided with a slot |31 which embraces pin |38 secured to said standard. A capstan screw |39 operatively connects bushings |32 and |36, said screw being similar to, and functioning in a manner similar to the remaining capstan screws.

'I'he arrangement is such, that when arm |35 is rotated through an angle of 180 from the position shown, the capstan screw |39 together with bushings |32 and |36 are effectively lengthened thereby rocking frame member I4 in a counterclockwise direction against the iiuid pressure within cylinder l0 beneath piston tion, of course, ,separates rolls 23 and 5,2 without effecting the relative positions of the remaining This acrolls. Similar apparatus is provided in connection with the upper mechanism 2, said apparatus functioning in an identical manner. When the gate rolls are separated from the distributing rolls in the manner described, a relatively large quantity of water may be discharged upon the distributing rolls while they are running in contrast with one another thereby effectively cleaning said rolls. Of course, paper is not being made during this period.

Roll 64, unlike roll 51 which is mounted upon the fixed bearing ||4, is mounted upon a floating bearing |40 which is pivotally secured at I 4| to standard |42 which, in turn is supported by frame 1. Bearing |40 has an outwardly extending arm |42 which is pivotally and slidably associated with rod |44, the connection between arm |42 and rod |44 being buffed or cushioned by coil springs |45. Rod |44 is threaded at its upper end and engages with a power driven worm wheel. As the worm wheel rotates in one direction rod |44 is raised and when rotated in the opposite direction, rod |44 is moved downwardly. By this arrangement the contacting pressure of roll 64 may be controlled by raising or lowering rod |44. This arrangement is old in the art and comprises no part of our invention.

A cleaning roll |48 is disposed in contacting relationship with coating roll 61. A similar cleaning roll is associated with coating roll 64 and the mechanism to be hereinafter described relative to said cleaning roll is duplicated in the mechanism 2. Roll |48 is mounted upon bearings |49 which in turn are supported by standards |50, pivotally mounted at |5|. to lugs |52. Each of the standards |50 may be provided with an outwardly extending arm |52 which is pivotally connected at its end to piston rod |54. A piston |55 is mounted upon the end of piston rod |54 which is adapted to be slidably positioned within fluid cylinder |56. Cylinder |56 is pivotally mounted atv |51 to supporting lug |58. The arrangement is such that when fluid under pressure is introduced into cylinder |56 beneath piston |55, standard |50 is urged in a counterclockwise direction thereby bringing roll |48 into continuous relationship with roll 51.

A bushing |56 is pivotally connected at |60 to standard 5. A bushing |6| is pivotally connected to standard |50, said bushing being provided with a slot |62 which is adapted to embrace pin |63 secured to standard |50. A capstan screw |64 is connected at its ends to bushings |59 and |6| and is adapted to control the spacing between rolls |48 and 51. A set screw |65 is threaded into the standard |50, the end thereof projecting into recesses |66 in which bushing |6| is positioned. B'y the provision of said set screw the movement of standard |50 away from standard ||5 and, consequently, the movement of roll |48 away from roll 51 may be controlled.

Such movement, that is, clockwise movement of standard |50 may be obtained by introducing iluid under pressure into cylinder |56 above piston |55 and relieving the pressure below said piston.

Roll |48 and its companion roll in the upper section are adapted to servevas cleaning rolls for the coating rolls 51 and 64 respectively. In view of the fact that the films of coating material applied to the surfaces of the web 4 are in their finished condition immediately after application, it is obvious that any accumulations or deposits upon either of the coating rolls would tend to disrupt or disgure said illm. Consequently, the l cleaning rolls hereinabove described are provided.

The roll |48 and its companion roll in the upper mechanism have relatively hard porous surfaces coating material. In order that said material can be .deposited in its final smooth form it must contain a substantial quantity of moisture. Con' sequently, when web 4 leaves the coating rolls its surfaces contain a coating material which is relatively moist. A conduit |10 supported at one end by means of bracket |1| secured to the supporting rod |12 is positioned above the path of travel of the web 4. In like manner a conduit |12 is supported by means of bracket |14 to the supporting rod |12, said latter conduit being positioned beneath the path of travel of the web. Both conduits 10 and |12 are provided with discharge openings or nozzles |15 and said conduits are connected to a suitable source of warm or hot air under pressure which is discharged into contact with the upper and lower coated surfaces of the web 4. After passing between conduits |10 and |12 the web' is trained around guide roll |16. In passing over said guide roll warm or hot air under pressure is discharged through nozzles |11 provided in the wali of an arcuate conduit |18 which comprises a vertical extension of conduit |10. After passing over guide roll |16 the web 4 is trained over drier roll |19 which comprises one roll of the drier bank 6. In passing over roll |16 warm or hot air under pressure is dischargedl through nozzles provided in an'arcuate conduit |8| which conforms with a portion of the periphery of roll |18.

Th end of conduit |12, namely, that end which is adjacent roll |16 is provided with a. series of nozzles |82 which discharge streams of air between the lower face of the web 4 and the surface of roll |16. In this manner a film of air is provided between the lower face of the web and the surface of the roll and, consequently, the coating upon said web is not detrimentally affected by the contact with the surface of roll |16. In like manner discharge nozzles |82 in conduit |18 discharge warm or hot air between web 4 and the surface of the drier roll |18, the purpose being similar to that hereinbefore described.

In order to prevent wrinkling or roping of the web 4 after the coating has been applied thereto, the nozzles |15 which direct the hot air into contact withthe coated surfaces of the web are arranged to place the web under a relatively slight transverse tension. To accomplish this, the nozzles |15 in both the upper and lower conduits |10 and |12, adjacent the edges of the web, have their center-lines at an angle, as shown at |84 and |85 in Figs. 5 and 6, and the nozzles |16 adjacent the center of the web have their axes at right angles to the lweb surfaces, as shown at |86. It can readily be seen that the air discharged from nozzles |84 and |85 produces a component of force which tends to stretch the web transversely, thereby preventing the formation of wrinkles. Moreover, the center-lines or axes of the nozzles |15 are inclined in the direction of travel of the web, thereby tending to stretch the web longitudinally.

Nozzles |82 and |83 across the width of the respective conduits are of varying diameters so that a greater quantity of air is discharged at the longitudinal center of the web than at its edges, whereby the web as it pwes over rolls |16 and |19 bellies outwardly. the greatest bulge being at the center of the web. In this manner,

the air is more or less trapped between the rolls and the web and substantially insulates the web from thev surfaces of said rolls, thereby preventing deformation of the newly laid coating.

By the expression "contacting as used in the claims with respect to the relationship of the various rolls, is meant that, the peripheries of adjacent rolls are sufliciently close to permit contact'of and actual transfer of the lm from roll surface to roll surface.

We claim as our invention:

l. A coating machine for coating continuously advancing flexible webs which comprises in combination, a juxtaposed pair of oppositely driven rolls having uniform surfaces between which said flexible web passes, means for applying a preformed lm of coating material to the surface of each of said rolls whereby said lms areY transferred to said web, each said means comprising a plurality of contacting distributing rolls disposed with axes in substantially the same horizontal plane whereby deflection of said rolls occurs in the same direction and does not change the degl-ree of contact between adjacent distributing rolls, and means for applying a metered quantity of coating material to said distributing rolls.

2. A 'coating machine for coating continuously advancing flexible webs which comprises in combination, a juxtaposed pair of oppositely driven rolls between which said flexible web passes, means for applying L. preformed unbroken film of coating material to the surface of each of said rolls whereby said films are transferred to said web, each said means comprising a plurality of contacting distributing rolls, means for applying a metered quantity of coating material to said distributing rolls, and adjustable means for maintaining said rolls at a predetermined degree of proximity with respect to each other.

3. A coating machine for coating continuously advancing flexible webs which comprises in combination, a juxtaposed pair of rolls between which said flexibleweb passes, means for applying a preformed-film of coating material to the surface of one'of said rolls whereby said film is transferred to said web, said means comprising a plurality of supports movable relative to each other, contacting distributing rolls carried by said supports, means for applying a metered quantity of coating material to said distributing rolls, and compressed fluid means for maintaining said supports and rolls at a predetermined degree of proximity with respect to each other.

4. A coating machine for coating continuously advancing flexible webs which comprises in combination, a juxtaposed pair of rolls between which j said flexible web passes, means for applying a preformed film of coating material to the surface of each of said rolls whereby said films are transferred to said web, each said means comprising a plurality of contacting distributing rolls, means for constantly applying a metered quantity of coating material to said distributing rolls, and means for adjusting the distributing rolls with respect to their proximity to each other.

5. A coating machine for coating a continuously advancing flexible web which comprises in combination, a pair of juxtaposed coating rolls between which said flexible web passes, means for applying a preformed film of coating material to the surface of each of said rolls, whereby said film is applied to Vopposed surfaces vof the web,

vmeans for working and smoothing said film prior to its application to each of said coating rolls comprising a pair of sets of distributing rolls, each set comprising a plurality of distributing rolls disposed in series with their axes in substantially the same horizontal plane, said distributing rolls being constantly in contact with each other and metered quantity of coating material to each series of said distributing rolls comprising two pair of horizontally juxtaposed gate rolls, means for maintaining a quantity of coating material in the nip of each pair of said gate rollsl one of the gate rolls of each pair contacting each one of said distributing rolls.

7. A coating machine for coating continuously advancing flexible webs which comprises in combination, a juxtaposed pair of rolls between which said flexible web passes, means for applying a preformed film of coating material to the surface of one of said rolls whereby said lm is transferred to said web, said means comprising a plurality of contacting distributing rolls, means for applying a metered quantity of coating material to said distributing rolls comprising a pair of horizontally juxtaposed gate rolls, means for maintaining a quantity o f coating material in the nip of said gate rolls, one of said gate rolls contacting one of said distributing rolls, and means for independently driving said gate rolls at difbination, a juxtaposed pair of rolls between which said flexible web passes, means for applying a preformed film of coating material to the surface of one of said rolls whereby said film is transferred to said web, said means comprising a plurality of contacting distributing rolls, means for applying a metered quantity of coating material to said distributing rolls comprising a pair of horizontally juxtaposed gate rolls, means for maintaining a quantity of coating material in the nip of said gate rolls, one of said gate rolls contacting one of said distributing rolls, means for independently driving said gate rolls at different peripheral speeds, and means for varying the ratio of said peripheral speeds.

9. A coating machine for coating continuously advancing flexible webs which comprises in combination, a' juxtaposed pair of rolls between which said flexible web passes, means for applying a preformed film of coating material to the surface of one of said rolls whereby said film is transferred to said web, said means comprising a plurality of contacting distributing rolls, means for applying a metered `iuantity of coating material to said distributing rolls, and means for cleaning said coating roll comprising a roll having a dry, porous surface disposed in contact with said coating roll at its receding side with respect to the web.

10. A coating machine for coating continuously advancing flexible webs which comprises in combination, a juxtaposed pair of rolls between which said flexible web passes, means for applying a preformed film of coating material to the surface of one of said rolls whereby said film is transferred to said web, said means comprising a plurality of contacting distributing rolls, means for applying a metered quantity of coating material to said distributing rolls, and means for cleaning said coating roll comprising a roll having a hard, porous surface disposed in` contact with said coating roll at its receding side with respect to the web. f"

11. A coating machine for coating continuously advancing fiexible 'webs which comprises in combination, a juxtaposed pair of rolls between which said flexible web passes, means for applying a preformed lm of coating material to the surface of one of said rolls whereby said film is transferred to said web, said means comprising a plurality of contacting distributing rolls, means forapplying a metered quantity of coating material to said distributing rolls, means for cleaning said coating roll comprising a roll having a hard, porous surface disposed in contact with said coating roll at its receding side with respect to the web, and pneumatic means for maintaining 12. A coating machine for coating continuously advancing flexible webs which comprises in combination, a juxtaposed pair of oppositely rotating rolls between which said flexible web passes, means for applying a preformed film of coating material to the surface of each of said rolls whereby said films are transferred to said web, each of said means comprising a plurality of contacting distributing rolls, means for constantly applying a metered quantity of coating material to said distributing rolls, and means for driving said distributing rolls and coating rolls at the same peripheral Speed.

13. A coating machine for coating continuously advancing flexible webs which comprises in combination, a juxtaposed pair of rolls between which said flexible web passes, means for applying a preformed film of coating material to substantially the entire surface of each of said rolls whereby said films are transferred to said web, said means comprising two series of contacting distributing rolls, means for applying a metered quantity of coating material to each` series of distributing rolls, and means for discharging a blast of hot air into contact with the coated surfaces of the web after its passage between said juxtaposed rolls.

14. A coating machine for coating continuously advancing exible webs which comprises in combination, a juxtaposed pair of rolls between which said flexible web passes, means for applying a preformed film of coating material to the surface of one of said rolls whereby said film is transferred to said web, said means comprising a plurality of contacting distributing rolls, means for applying a metered quantity of coating material to said distributing rolls, means for drying said web after its passage between said juxtaposed roils, comprising a plurality of heated drums over which said web passes, and-means for discharging heated air. under pressure between said web and the surface of a heated drum to provide an insulating film of air between the coated surface of the web and the surface of said 15. A coating machine for coating continuously advancing exible webs which comprises in combination, a juxtaposed pair of rolls between which said flexible web passes, means for applying a preformed film of coating material to the surface of one of said rolls whereby said film is transferred to said web, said means comprising a plurality of contacting distributing rolls, means for applying a metered quantity of coating material to said distributing rolls, means for discharging heated air under pressure into contact with said coated web, said means being so constructed as to exert opposite components of force transversely of said web whereby said web is subjecte to transverse tension. f

16. A coating machine for coating continuously advancing flexible webs which comprises in combination, a juxtaposed pair of oppositely driven coating rolls between which said flexible web passes, means for'applying a preformed film of coating material to the surface of each of said rolls whereby said films are transferred to said web, said means comprising two series of distributing rolls, the rolls of each series being in contact with each other and with a coating roll, and means for constantly applying a metered quantity of coating material to each series of distributing rolls.

17. A coating machine for coating continuously advancing iiexible webs which comprises, in combination, a juxtaposed pair of rolls between which said flexible web passes, means for applying a preformed film of coating material to the surface of each of said rolls whereby said films are transferred to said web, each of said means comprising a plurality of distributing rolls disposed in substantially the same horizontal plane, means for constantly applying ametered quantity of coating material to said distributing rolls, and micrometric means for adjusting the distributing rolls with respect to their proximity to each other.

18. A coating machine for coatingcontinuously advancing exible webs which comprises in combination a juxtaposed pair of rolls between which said flexible web passes, means for applying a preformed film of coating material to the surface of one of said rolls, whereby said film is transferred to said web, said means comprising a plurality of contacting distributing rolls, means for applying a metered quantity of coating material to said distributing rolls comprising a pair of horizontally juxtaposed gate rolls, means for maintaining a quantity of coating material in the nip of said gate rolls, one of said gate rolls contacting one of said distributing rolls, and means for driving said gate rolls at a speed independent of the speed of the distributing rolls.

PETER J MASSEY. WIILIAM F. THIELE. BERT F. RAPRAGER.

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