Preparation of cylindrical blanket by spreading of compressible layer
AssigneeReeves Brothers, Inc.
InventorsFrancesco Castelli, Gianpiero Invernizzi
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method of manufacturing a cylindrical compressible laminate using the floating knife or knife over roll spreading techniques to apply an inner compressible layer and outer or surface layer of a substantially incompressible material. The coating system includes a coating head to dispense an elastomeric material onto a rotating laminate and a knife blade that is parallel to the axis of rotation to distribute and spread a uniform coating of the elastomeric material. The knife blade can be raised incrementally on each rotation of the laminate so that an additional coating can be applied, until a layer of a desired thickness is obtained. In the preferred embodiment, the coatings are at least partially cured during each rotation.
Claims19
A method of manufacturing a cylindrical, compressible laminate, which comprises,
- applying a first reinforcing layer onto a cylindrical sleeve;
- spreading a compressible layer onto the first reinforcing layer by rotating the sleeve under a coating system, which system includes a coating head and a knife blade, by applying an elastomeric matrix coating containing a plurality of open or closed cells onto the first reinforcing layer of the laminate via the coating head as the sleeve is rotating while utilizing the knife blade to control the thickness and uniformity of the applied elastomeric matrix coating to form the compressible layer thereon, wherein the compressible layer is applied in portions by incrementally raising the knife blade on each rotation of the sleeve until a compressible layer of a desired thickness is obtained;
- heating that portion of compressible layer which is applied during one rotation of the sleeve before subsequent portions are applied to at least partially cure the elastomeric matrix coating;
- applying a surface layer;
- and
- curing the layers to form a cured cylindrical compressible laminate on the sleeve.
A method of manufacturing a cylindrical, compressible laminate, which comprises:
- applying a first reinforcing layer onto a cylindrical sleeve by coating a yarn with the elastomeric matrix by drawing the yarn through a dip tank containing a bath comprising an elastomeric matrix, drawing the coated yarn through an exit hole in the dip tank, wherein the exit hole has a diameter substantially the same as that of the yarn, and wrapping the coated yarn about the sleeve in a spiral manner to form a series of windings, wherein each winding is substantially in contact with an adjacent winding, to form the first reinforcing layer;
- spreading a compressible layer onto the first reinforcing layer by rotating the sleeve under a coating system, which system includes a coating head and a knife blade by applying an elastomeric matrix coating containing a plurality of open or closed cells onto the first reinforcing layer of the laminate via the coating head as the sleeve is rotating while utilizing the knife blade to control the thickness and uniformity of the applied elastomeric matrix coating to form the compressible layer thereon;
- applying a surface layer;
- and
- curing the layers to form a cured cylindrical compressible laminate on the sleeve.
A method of manufacturing a cylindrical, compressible laminate, which comprises:
- applying a first reinforcing layer onto a cylindrical sleeve;
- spreading a compressible layer onto the first reinforcing layer by rotating the sleeve under a coating system, which system includes a coating head and a knife blade, by applying an elastomeric matrix coating containing a plurality of open or closed cells onto the first reinforcing layer of the laminate via the coating head as the sleeve is rotating while utilizing the knife blade to control the thickness and uniformity of the applied elastomeric matrix coating, and forming the compressible layer to be thicker in the center than at the ends of the sleeve by spreading the compressible layer with a curved knife;
- applying a surface layer;
- and
- curing the layers to form a cured cylindrical compressible laminate on the sleeve.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.