Method and apparatus for compressing a self-supported web
AssigneeMiply Equipment, Inc.
InventorEliot R. Long
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus for processing a self-supporting web includes a rotatable mandrel and a stationary block member which defines a recess adjacent the mandrel. The recess is shaped to form a converging chamber between the mandrel and the block member, which converges in the direction of motion of the self-supporting web. A belt is mounted for movement through the chamber and is positioned between the self-supporting web and the block member. The chamber is sized to compress the self-supporting web between the block member and the mandrel, thereby reducing the thickness of the self-supporting web as it passes through the chamber. This apparatus can be used for laminating, liquid removal, or caliper reduction operations on the self-supporting web.
Claims16
In an apparatus for processing a plurality of self-supporting webs to form a laminate, said apparatus comprising means for supplying the self-supporting webs to a processing station and means for withdrawing the laminate from the processing station, the improvement wherein the processing station comprises:
- a rotatable mandrel;
- a recess defining member positioned adjacent the mandrel, said recess defining member cooperating with the mandrel to form a converging chamber therebetween, said chamber defining an entrance region and an exit region and having a greater radial depth in the entrance region than in the exit region;
- a belt;
- means for passing the belt through the chamber from the entrance region to the exit region;
- means fo supplying an adhesive between the self-supporting webs;
- means for passing the self-supporting webs through the chamber from the entrance region to the exit region between the mandrel and the belt;
- said chamber sized to compress the self-supporting webs between the recess defining member and the mandrel, thereby pressing the self-supporting webs together to form the laminate as the webs pass through the chamber;
- said belt positioned to eliminate sliding contact between one of the self-supporting webs and the recess defining member.
In an apparatus for processing a plurality of self-supporting webs to form a laminate, said apparatus comprising means for supplying the self-supporting webs to a processing station and means for withdrawing the laminate from the processing station, the improvement wherein the processing station comprises:
- first and second opposed members which define a converging chamber therebetween, said chamber defining an entrance region and an exit region and having a greater depth in the entrance region than in the exit region;
- means for mounting the first member stationarily in position with respect to a support surface;
- a belt;
- means for passing the belt through the chamber from the entrance region to the exit region adjacent the first member;
- means for passing the self-supporting webs through the chamber from the entrance region to the exit region between the belt and the second member;
- means for applying an adhesive between the self-supporting webs prior to entry of the webs into the chamber;
- said chamber sized to compress the self-supporting webs between the first and second members, thereby pressing the webs together to form the laminate as the webs pass through the chamber;
- said belt positioned to eliminate sliding contact between the self-supporting web and the first member.
A method for reducing the caliper of a self-supporting web comprising the following steps:
- (a) providing an apparatus comprising:
- first and second opposed members which define a converging chamber therebetween, said chamber defining an entrance region and an exit region and having a greater depth in the entrance region than in the exit region;
- and
- means for mounting the first member stationarily in position with respect to a support surface;
- a belt;
- and
- means for passing the belt through the chamber from the entrance region to the exit region adjacent the first member;
- (b) passing the self-supporting web through the chamber from the entrance region to the exit region between the belt and the second member, said chamber sized to compress the self-supporting web, thereby reducing the caliper of the self-supporting web as it passes through the chamber.
A method for laminating two self-supporting layers together to form a self-supporting laminate comprising the following steps:
- (a) providing an apparatus comprising:
- first and second opposed members which define a converging chamber therebetween, said chamber defining an entrance region and an exit region and having a greater depth in the entrance region than in the exit region;
- and
- means for mounting the first member stationarily in position with respect to a support surface;
- (b) providing an adhesive between the two self-supporting layers;
- and
- (c) passing the two self-supporting layers through the chamber from the entrance region to the exit region between the first and second members, said chamber sized to compress the two self-supporting layers together gradually and progressively, thereby causing the adhesive to bond the two self-supporting layers together to form the self-supporting laminate.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.