Web threader having an endless belt formed from a thin metal strip

An apparatus for threading a web through a dryer having a web path, said web having a leading edge, the apparatus comprising:

• a. an endless threader belt extending along said web path, said belt including (1) means for detachably receiving said leading edge of said web and (2) a thin strip of flexible stainless steel having perforations evenly spaced along its length;
• b. guide means for guiding said belt along said web path;
• c. a sprocket having protrusions which engage said perforations;
• and
• d. driver means for driving said sprocket, said sprocket driving said belt through said dryer along said web path and carrying said web therewith;
• wherein said means for detachably receiving comprises a threader bar attached to said thin strip, said leading edge being attachable to said threader bar.

An apparatus for threading a web through a dryer having a web path, said web having a leading edge, the apparatus comprising:

• a. an endless threader belt extending along said web path, said belt comprised of a thin strip of a flexible metal having perforations evenly spaced along its length;
• b. a threader bar detachably attached to said belt, said leading edge being detachably affixable to said bar, said threader bar having ends;
• c. a sprocket having protrusions which engage said perforations;
• d. driver means for turning said sprocket, said sprocket driving said belt and said threader bar through said dryer along said web path and carrying said web therewith;
• and
• e. guide means, located along said web path, for guiding said belt along said web path.

An apparatus for threading a web, having a leading edge, through a dryer, said dryer having an inlet and an outlet, two sides, and a web path extending between said sides through said dryer, the apparatus comprising:

• a. two endless threader belts, each said belt extending along a respective said side and through said web path and comprised of a thin strip of a flexible metal having perforations evenly spaced along its length;
• b. a threader bar having ends and extending between said sides, said threader bar positioned transversely to said web path and detachably affixable to each said belt, said leading edge attachable to said threader bar;
• c. sprockets having protrusions which engage each said belt;
• d. driver means for turning said sprockets at equal speeds, said sprockets driving each said belt at equal speeds through said dryer along said web paths and carrying said web therewith;
• e. guide means, spaced along each said belt, for guiding each said belt;
• and
• f. channel means for guiding said ends and guiding said threader bar along said web path.

A dryer comprising

• a. an inlet;
• b. an outlet
• c. two sides;
• d. a web path extending between said sides and inside said dryer from said inlet to said outlet;
• e. a plurality of air bars positioned above and below said web path;
• f. a threader assembly for threading a web, having a leading edge, through said dryer, said threader assembly including
• i. two endless threader belts, each said belt extending along a respective side of said web path and comprised of a thin strip of flexible stainless steel having perforations evenly spaced along its length,
• ii. a threader bar having ends and extending between said sides, said threader bar positioned transversely to said web path and detachably affixed to each said belt, said leading edge attached to said threader bar,
• iii. sprockets having protrusions which engage each said belt,
• iv. a drive system including a motor and a shaft which is connected to said motor and to said sprockets and which turns said sprockets at equal speeds such that said sprockets drive each said belt at equal speeds through said dryer along said web path and carry said web therewith;
• v. flanged pulleys, mounted on said sides and spaced along each said belt, which guide each said belt,
• vi. metal strips, located along each said side, which guide said ends of said threader bar along said web path,
• vii. web guide assemblies, mounted at the outlet along each said side, each of said web guide assemblies including
• (1) a plurality of pulleys which guide one of said belts through a path which curves out of said dryer,
• (2) a curved strip, mounted adjacent said pulleys, which guides one of said ends of said threader bar along said curved path, and
• (3) a roller, located above said pulleys, which guides said web out of said outlet and away from said belts;
• and
• an electronic control device which automatically controls the operation of said web threader.

An apparatus comprising

• a. a machine having a web path;
• b. a web threader for threading a continuous web through said machine along said web path, said web having a leading edge, the web threader including
• i. an endless threader belt extending along said web path, said belt comprised of a thin strip of flexible metal and having means for detachably receiving a leading edge of said web;
• ii. a drive device which drives said belt through said machine along said web path and which carries said web therewith;
• and
• iii. guides which guide said belt along said web path and which keep said belt taut.

An apparatus for threading a web through a machine having a web path, said web having a leading edge, the apparatus comprising:

• a. an endless threader belt extending along said web path, said belt comprised of a thin strip of flexible metal;
• b. a drive device which drives said belt through said machine along said web path and which carries said web therewith;
• and
• c. guides which guide said belt along said web path and which keep said belt taut, wherein said belt is provided adjacent a first side of said web path, and further comprising
• d. a second belt provided adjacent a second side of said web path;
• and
• e. a threader bar having first and second ends attached to said first and second belts, said threader bar detachably receiving said leading edge of said web.