Apparatus and method for applying variable pressure to a surface in corrugated paperboard manufacturing

A method of supplying variable pressure to a moving surface comprising the steps of:

• providing a frame;
• proving a means for moving a surface relative to said frame, with said frame positioned proximate to the moving surface;
• providing a plurality of pressure applicators mounted on the frame to supply a variable pressure to the moving surface, the pressure applicators forming a row of pressure applicators substantially transverse to the direction of movement of the moving surface, each pressure applicator comprising at least one foot mounted in movable relation to the frame;
• biasing each foot away from the moving surface with a biasing force;
• and
• variably biasing each foot against the biasing force to selectively move the foot away from the frame and toward the moving surface.

A device for removing moisture from a moving surface, comprising:

• a hot member;
• a conveyor for moving a surface relative to said hot member, said hot member positioned adjacent to the moving surface;
• a frame positioned proximate the hot member so that the moving surface moves between the frame and the hot member;
• a plurality of pressure applicators mounted on the frame for applying pressure to the moving surface, the pressure applicators forming a row of pressure applicators substantially transverse to the direction of movement of the moving surface;
• each pressure applicator comprising,
• at least one foot mounted in movable relation to the frame,
• a pressure device for biasing the foot away from the moving surface, and
• a variable pressure source operable for variably biasing the foot against the biasing force of the pressure device to move the foot away from the frame and toward the moving surface;
• and
• a control device for varying the pressure supplied by each variable pressure source.

A method of removing moisture from a moving surface, comprising the steps of:

• providing a hot member;
• providing a means for moving a surface relative to said hot member, with said hot member positioned adjacent to the moving surface;
• positioning a frame proximate to the hot member so that the moving surface moves between the frame and the hot member;
• providing a plurality of pressure applicators mounted on the frame to supply a variable pressure to said moving surface, the pressure applicators forming a row of pressure applicators substantially transverse to the direction of movement of the moving surface, each pressure applicator comprising at least one foot mounted in movable relation to the frame;
• biasing each foot away from the moving surface with a biasing force;
• and
• variably biasing each foot against the biasing force to selectively move the foot away from the frame and toward the moving surface.

A device for providing a variable pressure to a moving surface comprising:

• a frame;
• a conveyor for moving a surface relative to said frame, said frame positioned proximate to the moving surface;
• a plurality of pressure applicators mounted on the frame for applying pressure to said moving surface, the pressure applicators forming a plurality of rows of pressure applicators, each row being substantially transverse to the direction of movement of the moving surface;
• each pressure applicator comprising,
• at least one foot,
• a pressure device for biasing the foot away from the moving surface, and
• a variable pressure source operable for variably biasing the foot against the biasing force of the pressure device to move the foot away from the frame and toward the moving surface;
• and
• a control device for varying the pressure supplied by each variable pressure source.

A device for providing variable pressure to a moving surface comprising:

• a frame;
• a conveyor for moving a surface relative to said frame, said frame positioned proximate to the moving surface;
• a plurality of pressure applicators mounted on the frame for supplying pressure to said moving surface, the pressure applicators forming a row of pressure applicators substantially transverse to the direction of movement of the moving surface;
• each pressure applicator comprising,
• at least one foot mounted in movable relation to the frame,
• a first pressure device operable for biasing the foot away from the moving surface,
• a second pressure device operable for biasing the foot toward the moving surface,
• at least one of the first and second pressure devices operable for supplying a variable pressure;
• and
• a control device for varying the pressure supplied by each pressure applicator.