# US 8,784,940 B2 · Method for making engagement cover for rollers for web conveyance apparatus > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,784,940 B2 - Document ID: US8784940B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/498,041 - Filed: 2010-09-24 - Published: 2012-09-27 - Granted: 2014-07-22 - Earliest claimed: 2009-09-24 - Assignees: 3M Innovative Properties Company - Applicants: Kevin B. Newhouse; Bruce E. Tait; John C. Clark - Inventors: Kevin B. Newhouse; Bruce E. Tait; John C. Clark - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8784940B2 ## CPC - B65H 27/00: Special constructions, e.g. surface features, of feed or guide rollers for webs (rollers in general F16C13/00) - B65H 2404/114: Built-up elements - B65H 2701/1752: Polymer film - B65H: HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES ## Abstract A method of making an engagement cover for rollers for use in web conveying, the method comprising: (a) providing a knit fabric comprising a woven base layer having first and second faces and a resilient looped pile protruding from the first face; (b) applying an elastomeric coating composition to the looped pile; and (c) curing the coating composition to leave a deposit of elastomeric polymer on the looped pile to yield the engagement cover. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of making a roller engagement cover, said method comprising: (a) providing a knit fabric comprising a base layer having first and second faces and a resilient looped pile protruding from said first face wherein said looped pile has a loop height of from about 0.4 to about 0.8, one loop thread per stitch, and 25 stitches per inch; (b) applying an elastomeric coating composition comprising one or more elastomeric polymers to said looped pile, in an array of unconnected deposits of elastomeric polymer; and then (c) curing said deposits to form grip enhancement elements, wherein said grip enhancement elements are equivalent to from about 5 weight percent to about 50 weight percent of the weight of said loop pile; to yield said roller engagement cover. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein said base layer comprises fibrous material selected from the group consisting of poly(tetrafluoroethylene), aramid, polyester, polypropylene, nylon, or a combinations thereof. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein said looped pile comprises a fibrous material selected from the group consisting of poly(tetrafluoroethylene), aramid, polyester, polypropylene, nylon, or a combinations thereof. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein said looped pile has a loop height of from about 0.5 to about 0.7 mm. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein said looped pile comprises fibers having a denier of between about 100 and about 500. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein said elastomeric coating composition comprises said one or more elastomeric polymers dissolved in a solvent. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The method of claim 6 wherein said one or more elastomeric polymers is selected from the group consisting of styrenes, urethanes, acrylics, silicones, olefins, and combinations thereof. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The method of claim 6 wherein said solvent is selected from the group consisting of xylene, toluene, isopropanol, methyl ethyl ketone, and combinations thereof. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein said elastomeric coating composition comprises a water-based emulsion of said elastomeric polymer. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein the amount of said deposit of elastomeric polymer is equivalent to from about 5 to about 20 weight percent of the weight of said loop pile. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein the amount of said deposit of elastomeric polymer is equivalent to about 10 weight percent or more of the weight of said loop pile. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein the Shore A hardness of said deposit of elastomeric polymer is less than about 75. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein the Shore A hardness of said deposit of elastomeric polymer is from about 30 to about 60. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein the Shore A hardness of said deposit of elastomeric polymer is between about 30 and about 45. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein said engagement covering has a coefficient of friction with polyester of from about 0.25 to about 3. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein said engagement covering has a coefficient of friction with polyester of about 1 or more. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 further comprising washing said looped pile to remove fiber lubricants therefrom before applying said elastomeric coating composition to said looped pile. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein said applying an elastomeric coating composition is by a method selected from the group consisting of dipping, coating, and spraying. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 further comprising removing some elastomeric coating composition after applying an elastomeric coating composition and before said curing. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 further comprising installing said roller engagement cover on a roller with said second face of said base layer facing said roller. ### Claim 21 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 further comprising mounting said knit fabric on a roller with said second face of said base layer facing said roller before said applying said elastomeric coating composition to said looped pile. ### Claim 22 (depends on 20) The method of claim 20 further comprising: (1) providing a web material; and after installing said roller engagement cover on a roller: (2) configuring said web material into passing configuration to said engagement cover; and (3) passing said web material through engaging contact with said engagement cover.