Paper making and fiber liberation – Processes and products – Running or indefinite length work forming and/or treating...
Reexamination Certificate
2000-06-12
2001-12-04
Chin, Peter (Department: 1731)
Paper making and fiber liberation
Processes and products
Running or indefinite length work forming and/or treating...
C162S358100, C162S360300
Reexamination Certificate
active
06325895
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to paper-making machines, and, more particularly, to paper-making machines with an air press system.
2. Description of the Related Art
Press systems have long been relied upon to aid in the dewatering and in the forming of paper. Mechanical systems employing a series of rolls, shoes, etc. are the most common. More recently, development of air press systems has begun.
Semipermeable membranes have been used to convey paper webs since such membranes provide channels through which water may be conveyed away from a paper web. An example of such a membrane in the form of a laser drilled forming fabric is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,837,102 (Graf), entitled “Perforated and Embossed Sheet Forming Fabric,” issued Nov. 17, 1998, which is assigned to the assignee of the present invention and herein incorporated by reference.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides an apparatus for processing a continuous fiber web that provides a guide roll for controlling a lateral position of the membrane on a fiber web roll and provides a tension roll for controlling a degree of slack and thus, conversely, an amount of tension in the membrane.
The invention comprises, in one form thereof, a device for processing a continuous fiber web that includes a membrane, a pressurized enclosure, a tension roll and a guide roll. The pressurized enclosure includes at least a first roll and defines an air press chamber. The air press chamber has a perimeter with the first roll partially defining that perimeter. Additionally, the first roll carries the membrane. The tension roll also carries the membrane and is movable toward and away from the first roll. The guide roll further carries the membrane and is positioned between the first roll and the tension roll. The guide roll has opposite ends, at least one of which is pivotable toward and away from the first roll.
An advantage of the present invention is that a longer membrane may be accommodated, thus promoting longer belt life by reducing the time spent in the nips by any given section of the membrane.
Another advantage is a centering mechanism is available that counteracts the tendency of the membrane to meander along the length of a fiber web roll.
Yet another advantage is that contact with and eventual loosening of the end seals of an air press belt run may be avoided by keeping the membrane generally centered.
A yet further advantage is that a seal at each nip between mating rolls is better maintained by using crown compensating rolls as the rolls.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3246365 (1966-04-01), Kloender
patent: 3293121 (1966-12-01), Martin
patent: 3528883 (1970-09-01), Lundin
patent: 4160694 (1979-07-01), Futcher
patent: 4173249 (1979-11-01), Holkko
patent: 4675079 (1987-06-01), Webster
patent: 4880502 (1989-11-01), Wedel
patent: 5663510 (1997-09-01), Niemann et al.
Chin Peter
Hug Eric
Taylor & Aust P.C.
Voith Sulzer Paper Technology North America Inc.
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