US 4,055,003 A · Method and apparatus for altering the rigidity of webs by oscillation

Abstract

An apparatus is provided which is suitable for treating a web so as to modify the properties of the web. The apparatus includes a wall means which defines an elongated tunnel having an inlet end and an outlet end. Gas stream deflectors such as an array of spaced baffles, contoured surfaces, or the like, are positioned in the tunnel along opposing walls thereof. Two substantially parallel gas streams are passed through the tunnel in the direction of web travel. The gas streams flow on opposite sides of the web, impinge on the deflector means and oscillate and support the web. As each gas stream is deflected, it is directed against the web so that the web undergoes mechanical bending and oscillation which results in an alteration of bending stiffness, drape, feel and hand of the web. A method for modifying the properties of the web contemplates providing a confined flow passageway having an inlet and an outlet, introducing the web into the passageway, introducing a pair of gas streams into the passageway only at the inlet end of the passageway, passing the gas streams through the passageway on each side of the web so that the web is supported by the gas streams and transported through the passageway, and periodically altering the direction of flow for each gas stream in the passageway so that each gas stream alternately impinges onto and deflects a portion of the web as the web is transported through the passageway.

Claims16

Dependent claims

Apparatus suitable for treating a flexible web segment by oscillation so as to modify the properties of said segment which comprises

wall means defining an elongated tunnel adapted to receive a web segment having at least two substantially opposing wall surfaces, and having an inlet end and an outlet end;
an array of spaced baffles positioned substantially transversely in said tunnel along each of said opposing wall surfaces;
first and second gas feed means only at said inlet end for introducing a pair of substantially concurrent gas streams into said tunnel;
said baffles in one array being positioned in a staggered relationship relative to the baffles in the other array, and said gas feed means being positioned to impinge a first gas stream against said one array and to impinge a second gas stream against said other array, said baffles deflecting the respective gas streams against said web segment such that said first gas stream deflects said web segment in a first direction and said second gas stream deflects said web segment in the opposite direction, with said web segment being alternately deflected in said opposite directions to oscillate the web segment with a severity and frequency sufficient to mechanically alter the properties thereof;
and
web feeding means for feeding said web segment through said apparatus between said opposing wall surfaces, said feeding means comprising said pair of gas streams.

3 more elements

A method for modifying properties of a web segment which comprises the steps of

providing a confined flow passageway for said web segment, said passageway having an inlet and an outlet;
introducing said web segment into said passageway;
introducing a pair of substantially concurrent gas streams into said passageway only at the inlet end of said passageway, one of said gas streams being introduced on one side of said web segment and another of said gas streams being introduced on the other side of said web segment;
passing said gas streams through said passageway on each side of said web segment so that the web segment is supported by the gas streams and transported through said passageway;
providing a pair of arrays of spaced baffles in said passageway and substantially transverse thereto, said baffles in one array being positioned on one side of said web segment and in a staggered relationship relative to the baffles in the other array on the opposite side of the web segment;
periodically altering the instantaneous direction of flow for each gas stream within the passageway by impinging said gas streams against said arrays, and alternately deflecting said web segment in opposite directions to oscillate said web segment with a severity and frequency sufficient to mechanically alter the properties thereof by further impinging said one gas stream against said web segment to deflect said web segment in a first direction, and further impinging the other of said gas streams against said web segment to deflect said web segment in the opposite direction as said web segment is transported through said passageway.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method and apparatus for altering the rigidity of webs by oscillation

Life of this patent

Method and apparatus for altering the rigidity of webs by oscillation

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims16