Processing apparatus

Abstract

Apparatus for treating a web with treatment fluid comprises a two part housing defining a recess for receiving the web and a fluid distribution system for supplying treatment fluid to the recess. The fluid distribution system comprises a series of passages connected in a whiffletree configuration for dividing and subdividing the treatment fluid to supply treatment fluid to the recess at a plurality of locations across the recess to uniformly treat the web with the treatment fluid. In another embodiment the processor comprises a pair of plates defining a recess for receiving a web. The plates have at least one pair of elongated liquid injection openings extending transversely of the recess on opposite sides of the web respectively in juxtaposed relationship for injecting liquid into the recess. The plates further include at least one pair of elongated evacuation openings extending transversely of the recess on opposite sides of the web respectively in juxtaposed relationship for evacuating liquid from the recess. A whiffletree liquid distribution system is associated with each of the openings to supply liquid to the injection openings and to evacuate liquid from the evacuation openings.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.